SUNDAY'S SELECTIONS:
LUDLOW: 2.10 Aviso, 2.45 Domtaline, 3.15 LITTLE FRITZ (NAP), 3.50 Seventh Sky, 4.25 Cool Friend, 5.00 Tara Gale, 5.30 Monkey Kingdom.
NAVAN: 1.55 Fairy Path, 2.25 My Fere Lady, 2.55 Kanes Pass, 3.25 Kissed, 4.00 Father Of Science, 4.35 Shabra Emperor, 5.05 Azamata, 5.35 Robin Hood.
WETHERBY: ABANDONED
DOUBLE: Little Fritz and Domtaline.
It is unbelievable to think that less than 24 hours after the old season ended, the new National Hunt campaign begins all over again.
Perennial champion Tony McCoy may just have officially been crowned top jockey for the 17th time, but he sets out in search of title number 18 at Ludlow.
And both his mounts, Little Fritz and Monkey Kingdom, appear to hold strong claims.
Little Fritz lines up in the Bet totepool Text Tote To 89660 Novices' Handicap Hurdle and can finally lose his maiden tag.
The five-year-old has yet to strike gold under rules, with two bumper runs and three novice hurdles proving beyond his reach.
However, he is no forlorn hope for Nicky Henderson as flashes of ability have been evident on more than one occasion.
Not beaten far in either bumper outing, he was just touched off by a short head on his penultimate outing at Southwell.
Tacky ground probably did not aid his cause when a beaten favourite at Wincanton and he should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Monkey Kingdom makes his racecourse bow in the Jenkinsons Caterers "Newcomers" Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Hailing from one of King's Theatre's final crops, Monkey Kingdom is related to a couple of winners, including a Grade Two scorer, and certainly merits a glance.
Henderson enjoyed a close-run battle for the trainers' title
with Paul Nicholls for much of the season, but the Grand National sealed the deal for the Ditcheat handler.
Nicholls is not one to rest on his laurels and is another to make a swift resumption as he sends Domtaline for the Free Racing Post Form At totepool.com Novices' Chase.
The five-year-old made a sterling start over fences when winning at Ludlow in fine style earlier this month.
Rated 139 over hurdles, he made short work of his six rivals that day, putting in an accurate round of fencing to prevail by just over four lengths.
While he may not have hit the hoped-for heights over hurdles, Domtaline could have a decent future over fences.
Cool Friend failed to fire last time but should be given a chance to redeem himself in the totepool Mobile Text Tote To 89660 Handicap Chase.
Previously a winner at Sandown, Jeremy Scott's charge was struggling a long way out when sent off favourite at Ascot and did not look at all himself.
