Exciting young trainer Olly Murphy, who is based in Warwickshire, is also after a first Festival success.

He said today: “I think Brewin’upastorm in the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase is our best chance of a winner. He has not done a lot wrong. I know we have not seen him for a while, but he is very good fresh – he won his bumper, novice hurdle and novice chase first time out. It does not bother me that he has not had a prep run. The Irish look like they have a fairly strong hand in the race, but I am looking forward to my lad.

“Itchy Feet has been priced accordingly for the Marsh Novices’ Chase. He is a horse that people love to knock, particularly after Laurina did not turn up in the race at Sandown. At the same time, four of them jumped the second last upsides in a G1, and I don’t understand what more people want horses to do because he was a facile winner in the end.

“Skandiburg would definitely have a chance in the Pertemps Network Final. He won over course and distance around here and has been mapped out for the race for the last six months. He has a proper running style for the Pertemps, as he races behind the bridle and should come home strong.”