Catterick Bridge is not a noted source of future Cheltenham Festival winners, and I can find only one since 2003 – Attaglance, who took the conditionals’ handicap hurdle in 2010 – that set out on its National Hunt career at the north Yorkshire track. But the racegoers there on Tuesday could well see a horse to follow in the Beginners’ Chase, when Impulsive Star (1.20) and Sam Waley-Cohen set out on a path that could well lead them to the National Hunt Chase next March.

Impulsive Star was the 8-1 favourite for the Pertemps Final at last season’s Festival meeting, and though he beat only three of his 23 rivals to the line, he was always expected to come into his own over fences.

Today’s four-runner field has more depth than the turnout might suggest, as it includes Alzammaar, who was a couple of places in front of Impulsive Star at the Festival, and another interesting chase debutant in Tomngerry, whose latest rating over timber was only 8lb behind Impulsive Star’s mark of 140. Neil Mulholland’s runner should have the class to get him through, though, on the way to better things.

Solo Saxophone, who lines up in the preceding race, is Frankel’s first runner over hurdles and showed enough in a brief career on the level to sugest he can take a hand in the finish. Haulani (12.50), though, arrives with a similar profile to last year’s winner Nietzsche, who went on to finish third in the Fred Winter at the Festival, while Buckle Street (1.50) has run well in a higher grade on his last two starts and should appreciate another step up in trip today.

Officials at Fakenham were not entirely satisfied with the track during an 8am inspection and will have another look at 10am in the hope that the last of the frost will be out of the ground. Creep Desbois (1.40) could be the best bet there if it gets the go-ahead, while Muqarred (1.00) returned to form at Southwell last time out and is a big price at around 7-1 to make up a length-and-a-half on Mach One on 6lb better terms.

Tuesday’s racing tips, by Greg Wood

Catterick Bridge

12.20 Toarmandowithlove 12.50 Haulani 1.20 Impulsive Star 1.50 Buckle Street 2.20 Espoir De Teillee 2.50 John Williams (nb) 3.20 Return Ticket

Southwell

12.30 Optimickstickhill 1.00 Muqarred (nap) 1.30 Ladies First 2.00 Tricky Dicky 2.30 Throckley 3.00 Best Tamayuz 3.30 Broadhaven Honey

Fakenham

12.40 Banjo Girl 1.10 Mamoo 1.40 Creep Desbois 2.10 Aza Run 2.40 Mortens Leam 3.10 No Hiding Place