Paul Nicholls is hoping Timeforatune can continue his progress by securing the most valuable victory of his career at Huntingdon. 

The seven-year-old, owned by John Hales, will aim for a third success over hurdles in the M1 Agency Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle on February 9, a £30,000 two-and-a-half-mile listed prize. 

It is a prize Nicholls previously claimed in 2010 with The Minack and with Easter Day in 2013. 

“I’ve had this race in mind for him for a while; he did well at Taunton last time when he got a trip just short of this well,” Nicholls said. 

“He was a bit wayward in some of his early races this season but the last day at Taunton he was very good. 

“He seems to be improving all the time and the race on Thursday should suit him well. 

“I’ve not had much to run in it recently and we are keen to give it a go with him.” 

Having scored at the same level in the High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire Open National Hunt Flat Race at Cheltenham last season, the gelded son of Yorgunnabelucky will tackle his latest assignment in Cambridgeshire. 

This is off the back of a win after scoring at Taunton on December 30. 

As for opposition, Nicholls has identified the Charlie Longsdon-trained Rare Edition as his main danger, however he admits he is looking forward to the challenge. 

Nicholls added: “Timeforatune has done okay over hurdles as he is already rated 132. 

“Charlie Longsdon’s horse [Rare Edition] is probably the best horse in the race and the one they all have to beat. 

“He has had a little bit of a break and he now has to go for a race like this; I’m looking forward to it and hopefully he will run a good race.”