Malcolm Jefferson's Urban Hymn in first fences win bid

URBAN HYMN, the apple of Malcolm Jefferson's eye, makes the journey from his trainer's Norton yard to Cheltenham today in a bid to chalk-up his first win over fences.

A useful hurdler last season when he won a Grade 2 event at Doncaster in January, the strapping gelding has always looked liked a potential chaser. He made his debut over fences at Carlisle last month and failed in a photo-finish to beat the equally smart Duke Of Navan.

That race was over two miles, an absolute minimum for Urban Hymn, who will be much better suited by today's step up to two and a half miles.

It does, however, promise to be a demanding challenge. The Steel Plate & Sections Novices' Chase has attracted a high-quality field and if Urban Hymn can come out on top under Brian Hughes he will take a giant leap forward at this early stage of his new discipline.

The opening day of Cheltenham's excellent three-day meeting is highlighted by the 30,000 Neptune Investment Management Novices;' Hurdle, which promises to be a fascinating contest.

The booking of Ruby Walsh for Jonjo O'Neill's Champagne Present, who looked a horse to follow when narrowly beaten at Aintree last month, looks significant, but the four-year-old has a tough task against a few of these, including Blaklion, who won the Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow three weeks ago. He looks very smart.

Nicky Henderson's power-packed team is starting to get into top gear and the Lambourn trainer has good prospects with Anquetta in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.

The ten-year-old looked in good nick when narrowly beaten on his comeback run after a summer break at Stratford. A bold bid is expected this afternoon.

Henderson's Oscar Time will also be a popular choice among punters in the opening Opus Energy Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase.

Although in the twilight of his career, the teenage gelding enjoyed a great time of things last season.

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Malcolm Jefferson's Urban Hymn in first fences win bid