Alex Hales admits to be tingling with excitement after taking over from Milton Harris at the historic Trafford Bridge Stables at Edgcote, near Banbury.

The 35-year-old, who has spent the last two years at Preston Capes, near Daventry, has signed a five-year lease at the yard, from which the late Edward Courage famously trained Spanish Steps to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and Royal Relief to capture the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Harris, meanwhile, has returned to Paxford in Gloucestershire where he is continuing training after seven years at Edgcote.

Hales, who has saddled around 75 winners under both codes, believes the new yard will provide him with the base to expand his career.

“We are very pleased,” he said. “It is a proper yard with proper facilities. There is a lot to look forward to.

“It is the kind of place we have been looking for since we started training, so to have everything on site is a huge bonus.

“We have 40 horses – mainly National Hunt – and we have a lot of young horses and horses to go novice chasing.”

And he added: “Reading articles detailing the history that comes with the stables sends a tingle of excitment and anticipation for the coming season through you.”

Hales was head lad to Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann, before going on to be assistant to Kim Bailey, and was then based near Aylesbury where he was private trainer to Andrew Cohen for three seasons before setting up on his own in 2003.

Harris explained that he had decided to move on after his lease expired, but he was left to reflect on a successful spell at Trafford Bridge with the likes of the ill-fated Mondul, Herecomestanley, Alfadora and Paxford Jack.