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There will be a lot of eyes on Chepstow today when the Grade 2 Totesport Persian War Novices' Hurdle gets a seven race programme underway at 1.20 and again Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh could be the men to follow when they are represented by a strong team.

Aiteen Thirtythree begins the day for Manor Farm Stables when he faces five rivals in the two and a half mile contest. A point-to-point winner before unseating at the last when in control, the Old Vic gelding is a course winner, having made all in a bumper here back in April. Described as a lovely staying chaser for the future, minor obstacles will be his game for this campaign.

Owned by Paul Barber and the Findlays, Aiteen Thirtythree is named after one of the cheeses produced at the former's Ditcheat Dairy. Frascati Park, who won three from four in bumpers, his only defeat coming at Galway, represents owner Barry Connell here. Noel Fehilly rides for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Alfie Sherrin goes into battle for Nicholls and Walsh thirty five minutes later in the Totetentofollow.co.uk Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle. In the same ownership as Aiteen Thirtythree, Alfie Sherrin is named after a former West Country point-to-point commentator who retired after 42 years behind the microphone recently.

Described by his trainer as a talented but lightly raced horse who has needed time to mature, he is likely to be sent over fences this year but he must be of strong interest in this two mile four furlong contest with a feather-weight on his back. His stable companion, Elusive Dream heads the handicap by some way here.

Alfie Sherrin remains unbeaten in three career starts. A point-to-point winner, he won his bumper at Chepstow before adding a novice hurdle to his C.V. - by sixteen lengths.

Meanus Dandy is the next one up for all the aforementioned connections, in the Toteexacta Beginners' Chase. Nicholls described this chestnut son of Anshan as a staying chaser in the making who won all three point-to-points starts for Richard Barber last season. He jumps and stays very well. Harry Findlay named Meanus Dandy after his favourite greyhound from 1977 and he is a half-brother to 2007 Paddy Power Chase hero, Newbay Prop. He won the last of his four starts in Irish 'points' for Liam Burke, when in the process of filling into his giant frame.

Apocal is the Nicholls/Walsh runner in the 3.00 and this fellow, who remains a maiden, has a handicap mark that his trainer describes as looking "okay." The market should help in assessing his chance here.

Now Listen To Me, a beaten favourite last time, has an each-way chance in the 3.35. Nicholls is without a runner in the conditional jockeys' handicap chase but his charge in the 4.45 is worthy of attention.

Royal Collonges in the well-known colours of Mr & Mrs Alan Potts (of Sizing Europe fame) runs in the Toteswinger Maiden Hurdle under Walsh. He is a half-brother to top staying chaser, Neptune Collonges. Third on his only start at Pau in December, the grey is described as exciting and he jumps very well.

Meanwhile at Stratford, Surenaga runs in the opener, at 2.10 for Liam Burke. Garvan Donnelly has Entre Vous Et Moi in the 2.40. The other Irish representative in this is Derrycrew from the Mooney stable. Best Oscar, who won a Loughanmore maiden point-to-point back in April for Clonmel owner/trainer, Tom Keating, runs in the 4.25 for Andrew Turnell under Nick Scholfield. He is reportedly a nice horse.

The Grade 2 totetentofollow Old Roan Chase Limited Handicap Chase is the feature at Aintree and Tidal Bay under Denis O'Regan for Howard Johnson will be the focus of most attention in this two and a half miler. A hobday operation, it is hoped, will transform the eight-year-old's fortunes this season.

Noble Exciting, a very exciting horse from Nicky Richards' yard will have the assistance of Tony McCoy as he bids to see off three rivals in the totepool A Better Way To Bet Novices' Chase at 3.25.