THE national hunt season has really started with a bang, and with the tragic death of French Holly it is looking like only a two-horse race for next March's Gold Cup.

It's between See More Business and Florida Pearl - unless something really outstanding comes into play in the next month or so.

In next year's Champion Hurdle it looks only a one-horse race like last year with no challengers at the moment for Istrabraq.

I'm planning for my first runners over the hurdles on Monday, December 27 at Sedgefield, with possibly Ribble Assembly in the Novice hurdle, and Glory of Love in the selling hurdle.

Both horses are looking really well, Ribble Assembly and, recovered from his injuries, Glory of Love, is a beautiful black horse by Belmez, he has improved tremendously since I bought him from James Hetherton in a private sale two weeks ago.

He's enjoying life now and I spoil him every day with mints and carrots, he was not very friendly two weeks ago, but I have got his confidence back and he's enjoying life again.

If all goes well we will have a small flutter on these two, and hopefully come up with a big-priced double like we did with our first flat runners last season (Ribble Assembly 10-1 and Saffizz 13-2). At Wolverhampton on Wednesday, Afaan could go in at a biggish price sprint. Joe Fannings' agent - who is having dinner with me tonight - says Virgin Soldier (Mark Johnston) should also win on Wednesday.

On Thursday I will be on Venetia Williams Boots Madden. While on Friday at Southwell, Ring of Love with hopefully Tony Culhane riding, will bounce back to form.

At Exeter Black Statement (Josh Gifford) will take some beating now he has already got his head in front.

Saturday at Ascot in the John Doyle Handicap Chase, I won't look any further than namesake Jack Doyle, the ex-Irish trained horse who is now with Nigel Twiston-Davies. In the Gardner Merchant Hurdle at 2pm, Martin Pipe has four of the 10 declared at the five-day stage and my money will be on the one Tony McCoy chooses to ride - probably the ex-French horse Carlovent. On Sunday at Aintree I've already had a word for Jim Old's Brave Dream. I'll have a little each-way at a good early price.

Have a good week.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Wednesday (Wolverhampton) - Afaan (Nap)

Wednesday (Wolverhampton) - Virgin Soldier

Thursday (Warwick) - Boots Madden (Nap)

Friday (Exeter) - Black Statement (Nap)

Friday (Southwell) - Ring Of Love (EW)

Saturday (Ascot) - Jack Doyle (Nap)

Saturday (Ascot) - Carlovent (A McCoy)

Sunday (Aintree) - Brave Dream (EW)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.