CHELTENHAM Trials Day propelled new names to prominence in the Champion Chase and Gold Cup markets, as Editeur Du Gite and Ahoy Senor claimed their respective trials to leave connections of Energumene, Noble Yeats and Protrektorat with plenty to ponder ahead of renewing rivalry in March.

Conditions on the day, particularly on the chase track, may have contributed to the results as the ground, according to my going allowance, was unseasonably quick and not soft as the official description depicted.

In addition, three of the four winners over fences were all in front at the top of the hill suggesting racing prominently was an advantage as the speed held up well.

Finally, despite it appearing as if the runners were taking the top off the Prestbury Park terrain, none of the jockeys in behind were returning from races in need of clean britches for their next assignment.

Editeur Du Gite clocked a slightly faster time figure than at Kempton, although on this occasion it was the latter stages of the race where he employed his speed.

To the sword

In the Desert Orchid Chase, Gary Moore’s gelding put his field to the sword through the early sections of the final circuit, whereas on Saturday Niall Houlihan made best use of being perfectly placed before recording the fastest closing sectional of the day by a winner to set his pursuers an impossible task.

The nine-year-old covered the ground from the fourth last fence in 77.3secs, which, although just 0.2secs quicker than Il Ridoto, contributed to a circuit time 1.8secs faster than the premier handicap winner.

Edwardstone may momentarily have headed the winner on the climb to the line as he just failed to give the winner a five-length start from the start of the closing sectional.

Alan King’s gelding finished off his race quicker than the winner, with his trainer more than happy with the run on his way to the Champion Chase in March.

Energumene was ridden closer to the speed than Edwardstone and looked an ominous presence turning for home, however, following a less than fluent leap at the second last, the nine-year-old almost failed to take off at the last.

This was the quickest ground he has ever encountered, as the good to yielding at Punchestown was more towards yielding than good.

In the event of underfoot conditions riding softer in March, the defending champion is arguably still the one to beat.