Punters can celebrate with a New Year nip after the Tote Scoop6 Hurdle at Cheltenham today. Lydia Richards saddles Just Nip in the day's Showcase Handicap, which is run over an extended two miles and five furlongs, and this useful stayer can open his account for the season following two good efforts.

On his reappearance he finished an eight-and-a-half-length third to Carlovent at Chepstow, keeping on at one pace in the straight. Next time over an extended three miles in a Grade Two event at Newbury the six-year-old put up a personal best to finish an 18-length second to Deano's Beeno with Stayers' Hurdle winner Anzum a head back in third.

Anzum has since franked the form with a win in Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle so the form looks very solid. The handicapper, however, was impressed with the run and has put Just Nip up 6lb in the ratings but that will not be enough to stop this improving gelding landing the nap.

With the going riding soft at Prestbury Park, the four miles and one furlong of the Miles Gosling Handicap Chase will take some getting. One horse who will relish the conditions is Slideofhill from Jonjo O'Neill's in-form yard.

The chestnut was successful three times in the 1997/8 season, including a victory over four miles on heavy going at Kelso.

Off the course last season, the 11-year-old ran with promise when third to Golden Drum at Newcastle on his reappearance before finishing a good fourth to Carmel's Joy at Market Rasen a week ago, keeping on well for Martin Foster.

Richard Johnson, who partnered the stable's Legal Right to victory in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at the course last month, takes the ride today.

Sure to have come on for his two runs, Slideofhill can outstay his Cheltenham rivals with the added assistance of Johnson's strong handling.

At Ayr Lord Of The Sky can follow-up a recent course win in the Ayr New Year `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Just last week Len Lungo's very promising individual cruised home by five lengths from Jansue Charlie and should have little difficulty going in again on his way to even better things.

Mike Stan, who was a fourlength second to Pentlands Flyer at Musselburg last time, can complete a double for the Carrutherstown trainer in the Lets Go Handicap Chase.