Lewes trainer Sheena West has had an inactive time recently, her team of ten horses having been virus-ridden since the end of the summer.

But now Sheena is happy with them all and preparing to swing into action to make up for lost time with Its Wallace and Tis Gromit leading the way.

Its Wallace is a successful long distance hurdler embarking on his first attempt over fences.

Sheena said: "We took him to Plumpton on a quiet day last week. He schooled one-and-a-half circuits over a dozen fences without touching a twig. I was delighted with him."

Jamie Goldstein rode him and he will partner the eight-year-old in the £20,000 Sussex National over three miles five furlongs at Plumpton on Sunday week.

Its Wallace has won seven times over hurdles and is a real stayer.

Sheena said: "He is the sort of horse who lifts your spirits. He has always been a very capable jumper since he came to us five years ago.

"At the Cheltenham substitute meeting at Sandown in April he finished a good seventh in the Stayers Hurdler and I decided then that he should be prepared to run over fences."

Plumpton is Its Wallace's favourite track, winning six of his races on it, gaining his remaining victory at Exeter. Sheena explained why she is running him in a handicap rather than a novice chase.

"Novice chases can be a bit hairy with a field of inexperienced horses. He does jump so well I would rather see him go out with a group of seasoned handicappers who know what they're doing."

All being well the plan is for Its Wallace to go for either the Mandarin Chase at Newbury after Christmas or the Southern National at Fontwell on New Year's Eve.

Sheena said: "I'm not thinking in terms of Aintree for the time being, but the Welsh National at Chepstow in 14 months' time is a race that would suit him and I would love to win that."

If there is a horse called Its Wallace in the yard, it follows that Gromit is not far away and in the next door box, seven-year-old Tis Gromit is being readied to race over hurdles in the New Year.

Sheena said: "She is by the same sire, Bedford. But she has been difficult to train. She's a little delicate, but I must press on with her because she has a lot of talent. I'm sure she'll win races."

Its Wallace is owned by a group of enthusiasts known as the Grand Day Out Partnership, named after one of the best-known Wallace and Gromit television programmes.

Sheena said: "Two of the dozen partners had to drop out and I am hoping to find replacements before Plumpton next weekend."

Two shares at £2,850 are available with inclusive running costs at only £113 a month.

Sheena has just two to run on the all-weather tracks this winter, but Florenza and Jamie Ann, who will be seen at Lingfield soon, have schooled over hurdles and will run under both codes.

Barantes, a long-time stable favourite, has been working well with Its Pingu, but Its Wallace is the flag bearer for Balmer Farm Stables and if things go according to plan, he will be at Cheltenham in March for one of the season's principal novice races, the Sun Alliance Chase.

Earth Summit, winner in 1998 of the Martell Grand National, will lead the parade for Plumpton's richest ever race on Sunday week.