'It's a nightmare' - Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson frustrated as dry spell sparks crisis in novice chase field sizes

Top trainers Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson have labelled the dry autumn "highly frustrating" and "a nightmare", blaming it for triggering tiny field sizes, most dramatically in the novice chase division, as ITV showcases the latest small-field contest of its type at Exeter on Friday.

Good ground remains prevalent at many jumps tracks in Britain due to a lack of rainfall in recent weeks, a period of weather the Met Office has described as an 'anticyclonic gloom'. With dry conditions forecast to largely prevail for the foreseeable future, jumps trainers are struggling to take the wraps off many of their stars.

Novice and beginners' chases have been particularly impacted, averaging less than four runners since the beginning of September, and Exeter's 'Future Stars' on ITV4 will see Challow Hurdle winner Captain Teague taking on just two rivals.