It is an easy cliché at present that all the best jumps horses are trained by Paul Nicholls and the myth may gain further credence this weekend. But Nicholls was not even represented yesterday at Ascot, where the first three races were won by imposingly gifted horses that might just ensure he does not have it all his own way come the spring.

Mad Max and Dee Ee Williams are nascent talents - giant, embryonic chasers but still potential forces over the inadequate challenge of hurdles. Massini's Maguire completed that phase of his career with honours two seasons ago but only now is restored fitness allowing him to reach for his destiny over fences.

This is the horse, remember, that beat Tidal Bay when winning a novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Now, he could be the missing ingredient for Philip Hobbs, whose Somerset yard has any number of prospective winners but lacks a standard-bearer.

Here, in his his first run for 588 days, the seven-year-old jumped immaculately and won as his history suggested he should. Hobbs, plainly relieved, will now consider the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day before decisions are made regarding his Festival target.

The significance of the win was not lost on the trainer. “We've been short of top-class horses for a while,” he admitted. “This one is very talented and I'm hoping he could be what we need. It's important for any yard to have these flagship horses.”

Massini's Maguire suffered a suspensory injury last autumn, one of several similar setbacks for Hobbs. “He could have come back in the spring but there was no point in losing his novice status,” he explained. “It's been a long wait for him but he's obviously very good and the Feltham is a natural target, as we would find out there if he truly stays three miles.”

Bookmakers were keen to quote the winner for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Victor Chandler installing him at 20-1. This time next year, that race could be the objective for both Mad Max and Dee Ee Williams, whose stature and scope dictate a future over fences sooner rather than later.

Plenty of winners have emerged from the Cheltenham race won last month by Dee Ee Williams and he took some auspicious scalps again yesterday, storming past Shorecares and Bergo on the run-in to win going away. Nick Gifford, his trainer, acknowledges that a longer trip awaits but is keen to keep him to the minimum for now.

“He's still so green he scarcely knows why he's here and a strongly-run two miles is ideal. We'll either come back here for the Kennel Gate next month or wait for the Tolworth at Sandown,” Gifford said, adding animatedly: “You dream about horses like this.”

Nicky Henderson has plenty such animals to fill his dreams and Mad Max must be among them, though quotes of 14-1 for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle may overrate his hurdling prospects. “Hurdles are a nuisance to him, they just get in the way,” the trainer said.

Henderson will watch from Ascot today as Binocular defends his position as Champion Hurdle favourite against inferiors at Haydock. “People will say it's a waste of time putting on a race like that if it's going to cut up,” Henderson conceded. “But it's nice for us to have the opportunity.”

Nicholls holds the aces at Haydock with Kauto Star and Star De Mohaison, before saddling Officier De Reserve in the Troytown Chase at Navan tomorrow. Before long, the Irish may feel the novelty appeal of hosting Nicholls has worn off.