While many trainers saw a dip in their tally of winners last term following a severe winter, Ben Case bucked the trend with his most successful season to date.

With 11 winners from 95 runners, he almost doubled his previous best score from his Edgcote stables, near Banbury.

His total also included his first Cheltenham winner when Top Dancer landed a handicap chase at the April meeting.

Those successes have helped see Case’s string expand into a second barn at Wardington Gate Farm.

And speaking at his owners’ open day on Sunday when he paraded 33 horses in front of a crowd of around 160, he said: “We are slightly up on numbers this year, which is great news and we have some exciting horses to look forward to this season.”

They include the smart Tempest River, who is set to go over fences this term with the mares’ final at Newbury in March her long-term target.

Case also has high hopes for Deep Trouble, an easy winner at Uttoxeter in May. “He is a proper horse and I think he could be running in some big races this year,” he said. “He will run in hurdles to start off with and may go chasing laster on.”

Brass Tax, a winner at Market Rasen last season, is back after being given time off after suffering a minor tendon injury at Huntingdon.

“I hope to have him running around Christmas time and to go for some valuable handicaps,” added Case. The trainer also believes Themanfrom Minella, Moss On The Mill and Vesuvhill are worth watching out for, while Thoresby is again expected to pay his way.

And an added dimension will see Case’s wife, Sarah, train a team of point-to-pointers – New Alco, Clouded Thoughts and Chasing Cars – who will be ridden by Max Kendrick.