A small but exciting field of five for the grade 2 Dipper Novices' Chase which is run at Cheltenham on New Years Day.

Punchestowns goes for Nicky Henderson and this will be his second attempt at Fences. He made his debut over fences just a month ago at Newbury to score in very impressive style making him one of the market leaders in the antepost betting for the RSA Chase at the Festival in March.

A much tougher task awaits him here with the likes of David Pipes Seven Is My Number ready and waiting. This one has made a terrific start to fences winning his first three attempts and again at Sandown last time out. The only blotch on his record came at Ascot in October where he simply ran out of stamina for the three mile trip.

Alan King saddles Bensalem who took his chasing debut and was last seen settling for runner up slot at Exeter, Nigel Twiston Davies has Pigeon Island who usually runs a decent race here at Cheltenham while George Charlton's Knockara Beau may have doubts surronding his fitness but he is three from four over fences so cannot be ruled out.

Age Trend: Range: 5 - 8yo.

Favourite Trend: The Fav has won four times in the last eight years.

Weight Trend: Range: 10-12 - 11-11.