A few bright sparks have already rushed out and backed Rhinestone Cowboy for the Champion Hurdle, even though his connections have not yet decided which race he's going to contest at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

Rhinestone Cowboy, who is just as likely to side-step the "Champion" in favour of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, does at least take a significant stride forward in his preparation for the big day by having a breeze around Prestbury Park in today's opener at Cheltenham, the EBF Novices' Hurdle.

Unfortunately the giant Jonjo O'Neill trained six-year-old has frightened most of the opposition away, leaving just three rivals to take him on in the £15,000 event.

It's always a matter of regret when such good prize-money attracts so few runners, but there is little doubt that Rhinestone Cowboy is the best novice hurdler seen out this season and he is going to be very hard to beat.

Not much value to be had punting-wise there then, so what's the alternative to try to fill the Christmas stocking with some much-needed loot? The answer might be supplied locally, courtesy of Mary Reveley's Roveretto (1.10) in the three-mile Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

It's pretty well documented that Mary hasn't had much luck in the past at Cheltenham. But one rubbish course record doesn't make a bad trainer. Take John Dunlop, arguably the greatest living Flat trainer in the UK. His strike-rate at Royal Ascot over the last decade has been nothing short of dismal.

Smashing such hoodoos is only a matter of time, and in the case of the Reveley team's Roveretto, there can be no question he's very useful on his day. I believe the gelding has even further room for improvement taking into account his marvellous effort at Haydock recently, when chasing home the highly-rated Young American over two-miles-and-six-furlongs.

The return to a slightly longer trip makes good sense, and the booking of top jockey Mick FitzGerald represents the icing on the cake.

There could also be more success for our region if Ferdy Murphy can pull off back-to-back successes in the £22,000 Sporting Index Cross Country Chase.

Murphy won last year with Paddy's Return and he has a great chance of following up with The Quads, who ran extremely well on his last outing, going down by two lengths to Famfoni in a similar event at Cheltenham's Open Meeting on November 15.

"He ran a blinder over the fences last time and, with it being a handicap this time, I'd hope he'd have a bit better chance. The horse seems great in himself and has schooled well again, so we'd be hoping for a big run from him," said Ferdy.

In the closing Tripleprint Conditional Jockeys Handicap Chase, Tom Costalot (3.25), a big bulldozer of a steeplechaser, has the perfect profile to take home the prize.

Susan Nock's powerful grey jumps for fun so shouldn't have any problems handling the demanding obstacles in the hands of his promising jockey, Anthony Evans.

Another young lad catching the eye in the saddle is Marcus Foley, scheduled to partner The Names Bond (12.25) in the first race on a bumper card at Doncaster.

Foley, attached to Nicky Henderson's yard in Lambourn, is getting plenty of outside rides and Malton-based Andy Turnell must have been quick out of the blocks to secure Marcus's services for The Names Bond.

Turnell's strapping four-year-old has the size and scope to make a name for himself over the sticks, having finished a highly creditable third in a marginally better race at Bangor in November.

Incidentally, Foley and Evans are scheduled to ride in both the 12.15 at Doncaster, plus the 3.25 at Cheltenham. I wouldn't give much for their prospects of making it