WETHERBY’S top race, the Bet365Charlie Hall Chase takes centre stage at the track at 3.25 today, with eight solid runners heading to post.

Deep Purple, winner of the race last year, and Ollie Magern, who twice tasted success in the Grade 2 contest in 2007 and 2009, both take their chance again.

But you can’t help feel this year’s line-up looks a stronger renewal.

It is sure to be a run at a furious pace with Ollie Magern and Nacarat both confirmed front runners and it could be set up for a horse coming off the pace like The Tother One.

In the care of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, The Tother One has only had six starts over fences and has got the added bonus of Ruby Walsh on board.

This has been the plan for a long time and his fantastic record first time out enhances the confidence in him.

Speaking yesterday, Walsh was confident of a bold show.

“This has been the plan for a while and Paul is happy with him at home,” he said. “With eight runners, he must be a cracking each way bet.”

Eight runners also head to post in the previous race, the John Smith’s West Yorkshire Hurdle, and Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty can have a winner here with Duc De Regniere.

The eight-year-old rattled up a hat-trick over fences but he is every bit as effective over hurdles.

He can make the most of the 8lb pull he receives from previous course winners Fair Along and Howard Johnson’s stable star Tidal Bay.

Henderson’s and Johnson’s inmates could well fight out the finish to the opening novices chase at 1.40 with Osric and Knockavilla looking above average recruits.

Johnson’s Knockavilla has a penalty, but he has had five starts over fences, winning his last race at Sedgefield and the experience might count today.

On what could be a good day for the Crook trainer, Johnson’s best chance looks to come in the two mile novices hurdle at 4.00.

The horse in question is Rupert Lamb, a winner of a bumper first time out when trained at Middleham by Sally Hall.

Quickly snapped up by Graham Wylie, Rupert Lamb’s jockey Brian Hughes is looking for a bold show.

He said: “He has settled in very well and schooled particularly well this week.

“On his home work he shouldn’t be far away and it would be nice to have a couple of winners on one of the big days of racing in the north.”