Golden beginning? New Year Ace who had Brighterdays behind her aims to get 2025 off to a flyer

Every family has rituals when it comes to the new year and, while racing fans may welcome a 'first foot' stranger to the door shortly after midnight, or else argue over whether prosecco really is just as good as champagne, they can all agree on one thing: January 1 means a cracking card at Cheltenham. 

With the excitement generated by Brighterdaysahead's electric display at Leopardstown on Sunday still fresh in the memory, we get the opportunity to welcome back the only horse to have beaten Gigginstown's wondermare. 

Golden Ace took down Brighterdaysahead over 2m1f of the New course at the festival and looked in need of the outing when fading late on at Ascot in November.