Dave Orton is in the Sky Sports Racing studio during the Long Distance Hurdle day at Newbury and here he names a quintet of runners of note.

REGENTS’ WALK

12:15 p.m. – Play Coral ‘Racing-Super-Series’ Maiden Hurdle ‘National Hunt’ (Class 3) 2m ½f for free

The opening novice hurdle has been managed by Nicky Henderson for the past decade, with big hitters such as Jonbon and Buveur D’Air among the septet of Seven Barrows winners. Henderson is relying on newcomer Ferando this year, who is bred to make his mark over hurdles, but all eyes will instead be on the undefeated Regents Stroll for Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls has ended a series of sleepless nights by rallying its powerful stakeholders to ensure the five-year-old returns to Ditcheat, after taking part in former owner Chris Giles’ dispersal sale at the auction. Goffs summer in July.

Watch every race of the Coral Gold Cup meeting from Newbury live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November.

With a new price tag of £660,000 around his neck, Regents Stroll has plenty to live up to that mandate. However, building on last season’s outstanding form, which included a penalty win over course and distance, he should make new connections for a winning start.

Miss Altea Blue

1.20 – ‘Pari en cours’ with the juvenile hurdle of Coral Fillies (Listed) (Class 1) (3 years only) 2m ½f

Although still a maiden after four outings, this ex-French filly seems to have obvious pretensions to a winning start for her powerful new team.

A closer look at the form of her two near misses at Auteuil strongly suggests she should live up to that kind of standard. Her most recent second there in September, when she returned from a 105-day break, has been heavily publicized since, with the third then spending a 2nd year there this month.

Trainer Paul Nicholls wouldn’t send him straight to a listed company for his British debut unless he likes what he has seen so far at home and it appears to be a fairly mild juvenile contest for the class.

CAPTAIN TEAGUE

1.55 – Coral John Francome Novices’ Pursuit (level 2) (class 1) 2m 4f

Quickly moving on from the awkward walk on his planned seasonal debut at Exeter earlier this month, it appears Captain Teague has found a decent place to make a winning start to life as a hunter.

The race is essentially a repeat of last season’s Grade 1 Challow Hurdle on the course, when he was pitted against The Jukebox Man, Johnnywho and Massacio behind. Certainly it was a shock in failing to confirm that form with the first two nominees in the Albert Bartlett next time out at the Cheltenham Festival, but the connections worked on his wind during the summer, and he is certainly made to jump fences.

The former Irish points winner won’t mind how the pitch pans out and a flawless run should see him add to what looks to be a brilliant day for coach Paul Nicholls.

HUNTING GALLOP

2:30 p.m. – Coral ‘Daily Rewards Shaker’ Handicap Pursuit (Class 2) 2m 4f

The Venetia Williams team is at the highest level after its success at the highest level last weekend and Galop De Chasse can continue its momentum by taking out Class 2 0-150 with handicap.

It doesn’t appear to be the most competitive affair for the grade, with five of his rivals failing to finish last time out, and, although now 10lb heavier than on debut at Newbury this month- This past year, there is no doubt that the eight-year-old is capable of moving up the ranks this season.

He came across one on his return to Wetherby in October, finishing a clear second, and it’s fair to say the team had yet to hit the next gear at that point. He rightly came into play for this outing, this surface should prove ideal and he finds the excellent Charlie Deutsch in the saddle.

MADAKET

3h40 – Coral ‘Pipped-At-The-Post’ and wins the Handicap Obstacle (Class 3) 3m

Few stables can boast of being in better form at the moment than those of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and the Somerset outfit are rightly hoping to win the final with the progressive Madeket.

It looked like a case of going to the well one time too many, as the six-year-old ran out of gas during last season’s signing over the course and distance in March. The previous time he had run off to Wincanton, looking exactly like the sort the yard had excelled with in the past, and provided he had a good summer, bigger things should really be awaiting him this winter .

He’s versatile when it comes to conditions underfoot and it’s worth remembering that he also hit for the first time last year, so there’s a lot to like.

Watch every race of the Coral Gold Cup meeting from Newbury live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November.