The novice chaser Champ and novice hurdler Sir Valentine won for the first time over those obstacles in consecutive races at Newbury Racecourse in England on Thursday in a manner that suggests thay will play meaningful roles in the top jump races in coming months.

Sir Valentine fell when racing in second in a novice hurdle at two miles at Chepstow Racecourse on Oct. 11. Thursday, Sir Valentine (4-1) closed from slightly off the pace to win a novice hurdle at 2 1-16 miles, beating 10-1 Young Lieutenant by 2 3-4 lengths.

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son, Sam, Sir Valentine is a 6-year-old gelding by Cacique, who won two Grade 1 races at Belmont Park for trainer Bobby Frankel in 2005 - the Manhattan Handicap and Man O' War Stakes.

Champ, a two-time Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler in December and April, won his chasing debut in Thursday's third race at 2 13-16ths miles, closing from off the pace to beat 4-1 Dashel Drasher by 3 1-2 lengths.

"It was about all you could ask for," said winning trainer Nicky Henderson. "He had a lot of respect for his fences today."

Champ (8-13) was ridden by Barry Geraghty.

The jump season in England began in earnest last month. The second half of November includes major race days at Cheltenham Nov. 14-16, at Ascot and Haydock Park on Nov. 22 and at Newbury on Nov. 28-29.