Scott has made rapid strides in the training ranks since he gave up milking cows in the wilds of Exmoor seven years ago.

Last season was his best with 30 winners and he prides himself that he has not spent more than £30,000 on a horse.

Unfortunately, Empiracle, one of the rising stars among the 36 he has in training, will not run until next year after injuring a leg. Injury prevented Big Buck's from winning a fifth World Hurdle at Cheltenham last season but his trainer Paul Nicholls hopes to make up for that.

“All is good with him now,” said Nicholls. “The plan is to run him in January and then aim for a fifth World Hurdle.

“I think he's as good as ever as is Celestial Halo who nearly won us the World Hurdle when second to Solwhit last season. He goes back to France where he won last season.”

Al Ferof, another injured star in the Nicholls camp, returns at Ascot next month.

“I hope he will by our horse for the King George on Boxing Day.

“Regarding Silvinianco Conti, he returns in the Betfair at Haydock and then will be prepared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.”

Colin Tizzard also has the Betfair on the agenda for Cue Card. “We hope to win next month's Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter for the second time before the Betfair.”

David Pipe believes he has Grands Crus, another to parade, back to his best.

Pipe nominated Thomas Junior as a 'dark' horse to follow for the coming season.