Copper Boy launched his chasing career in impressive fashion at Newbury yesterday. Bob Buckler's eight-year-old, a smart handicapper over hurdles, halted the winning run of Martin Pipe's Northern Starlight in the Hallowe'en Novices' Chase.

Buckler is contemplating the full range of top three-mile novice chases for Copper Boy.

Brendan Powell attempted to make all on the 2-1 chance in the four-runner contest but was headed at the fourth fence by Northern Starlight.

Bold jumping saw Copper Boy back in front at the seventh and despite jumping to his left over the last four fences, he galloped on strongly to score by eight lengths.

Buckler said: "He always had a tendency to jump left but hopefully that will get better. When he was taken on he tried to rush things and he's a lot better when he can settle in front."

Pipe has the Cheltenham Festival in mind for Daraydan, who made it two wins from two runs for the season when landing a bloodless victory at odds of 1-8 in the Tom Masson Trophy Hurdle.

Pipe said: "We'll look to the Stayers' Hurdle and there is also the two-mile, five-furlong handicap (Coral Cup). We'll see how he goes through the year."

Pipe took the opportunity to cast a swipe at race planning on a card where the first five races attracted just 18 runners.

The trainer claimed: "I think they are doing it wrong. I've had horses balloted out of novice hurdles and I cannot run them as I do not want to run them in races when they are out of the handicap."

Veteran chaser Dr Rocket took his career earnings to in excess of £83,000 when landing the 14th win of his career in the Winterbourne Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.