BLUE NYMPH went into numerous Cheltenham portfolios as Doncaster served up an appetising hors d’oeuvre ahead of this weekend’s big meeting.

Racing on Town Moor intensifies today, weather permitting, with the Sky Bet Chase spearheading an exceptional card.

But yesterday’s fixture was certainly no back-number as a host of decent horses combated the blustery conditions to demonstrate their aptitude on a racecourse.

None more so than Blue Nymph (7-1), who slalomed into the JCB Triumph Hurdle equation with a sprightly debut triumph over timber in the Bill Egginton Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.

The four-year-old filly brought to the table a priceless combination of class and spirit to firstly subdue Master Fong with a sound jump at the last.

John Quinn’s representative then kept at bay onrushing odds-on favourite Barwell Bridge by two lengths under the trusty Dougie Costello.

‘‘It’s always difficult to win first time out but she buckled down really well,’’ said North Yorkshire-based Quinn.

‘‘We’ll put her in the Musselburgh race (Scottish Triumph Hurdle, February 7) but the track might be a bit tight for her.

‘‘We’ll stick her in the Triumph and she’s also eligible to run in the Fred Winter after two more runs.”

Conditions also played to the strengths of Wogan, who underscored the exceptional form of Nicky Henderson’s yard in the robinhoodairport.

com Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Runner-up Presenting Forever is held in some esteem by Howard Johnson, but was humbly ground into submission by the 8-1 winner.

Henderson’s assistant trainer, Tom Symonds, said: ‘‘His jumping has not been his strong point in the past but it looks like he’s come of age.”

James Fanshawe also has plenty of options for capable Flat performer La Sarrazine, who looked the real deal in the skybet.com Novices’ Hurdle.

After an encouraging hurdling debut at Lingfield, the 8- 1 chance drew clear of Bogside Theatre at the last to score by six lengths, initiating the first leg of a double for Costello.

Fanshawe said: ‘‘She ran a really nice race at Lingfield, but she’s obviously improved a lot for that.’’ Johnson feels there might also be more to come from Bleak House (7-1) after his redoubtable victory under Paul Carberry in the skybet.com Handicap Chase.

‘‘He’s a grand horse and will be better going right-handed next time,’’ said the County Durham handler.

Shadrack supplemented a recent Catterick success in the crownhotel-bawtry.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Trainer Sue Smith said of the 7-2 joint-favourite: ‘‘He’s not really beaten anything yet – the Catterick race was a seller – so we’ll look for a sensible handicap now.’’