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Cheltenham Festival winner Taquin Du Seuil is the star name among a fascinating field of five runners in the feature event at Newton Abbot on Friday.
Jonjo O'Neill's progressive chaser won four of his six starts during his debut season over fences, with his successful campaign culminating in a determined Grade One victory in the JLT Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park in March.
Tony McCoy was ever-present in the saddle aboard Taquin Du Seuil last season, but as he is required to ride Colour Squadron for Philip Hobbs and owner JP McManus, Richie McLernon will partner the O'Neill runner for the first time in public in the toteexacta Pick The 1, 2 Intermediate Chase.
McLernon said: "It's very exciting to be riding a horse like him and I'm very grateful Jonjo and the owner have given me the opportunity.
"I've ridden him plenty at home, it's a good little race and it will be good to get him going again."
It is unlikely to be plain sailing for Taquin Du Seuil, however, with a quartet of talented opponents lying in wait.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is double-handed, with Nick Scholfield partnering Black Thunder and Ditcheat's number one jockey Sam Twiston-Davies aboard Wonderful Charm.
Black Thunder makes his first appearance since coming to grief in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, while Wonderful Charm was fifth behind Taquin Du Seuil at the Festival.
Nicholls said: "Black Thunder had a very heavy fall in the RSA, so I was keen to get him out somewhere in a small field as a bit of a confidence booster.
"The more rain the better for him, we'll get the run in and then make plans.
"Wonderful Charm is in good form and it's a good starting point for him as well, so the race serves a purpose for both horses really.
"It's great of Newton Abbot to put the race on, we were keen to support it and they've been rewarded with a really good race."
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Double Ross was only a couple of lengths behind Taquin Du Seuil when third in the JLT Novices' Chase.
The trainer's string usually excel at this early stage of the campaign, but he feels this particular eight-year-old is likely to benefit from the outing ahead of a likely appearance at Wetherby early next month.
Twiston-Davies said: "It's a very interesting race. Looking at the weights you would say Colour Squadron should probably win, but it's the first run of the year for all of them.
"Double Ross never seems to run very well first time out, funnily enough. He shouldn't need the run fitness-wise, but it might just bring him on mentally.
"If all goes well, the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby could be his next race."