Shotgun Willy can give Paul Nicholls a rare big win over hurdles at Chepstow today. His trainer is usually thought of as a steeplechase specialist, and it is the exploits of See More Business, Call Equiname, Flagship Uberalles and the like over fences that have made his name.

Unbeaten hurdler Shotgun Willy has the physique of one likely to make his mark over the bigger obstacles in time, and the pedigree too - he is from the family of dual Cheltenham Festival-winning chaser Observe.

But today's £16,000 St David's Day Prestige Novices' Hurdle offers him the perfect chance of a big pay-day before he launches his career over fences. Stamina will be crucial in this three-mile event, as Chepstow is a stiff track and the going will be very testing.

Shotgun Willy has already proved his staying power, winning impressively in very soft ground over this trip at Uttoxeter twice since the turn of the year.

Each effort suggested he would be more than good enough to take a step up in class - this Grade Two contest looks an ideal showcase for his talents.

King's Road, another proven in the mud, will take plenty of beating in the Gillie's Novices' Chase. He left a poor reappearance effort well behind him at Ascot last time, making mincemeat of five rivals in a novice chase and coming home the winner by a distance.

Dee Pee Tee Cee is worth waiting for in the closing Racing Channel Available In Pubs And Clubs Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby. The six-year-old proved a real money-spinner on the Flat for Mick Easterby in 1999, winning five handicaps - including two good races at York.

And he looked set to carry on in similar vein over hurdles when the very easy winner of a novice handicap at Doncaster in December. So it was a disappointment when he finished only second when odds-on to follow up at Newcastle three days later.