ANNUAL INVICTUS boasts a good course record at Prestbury Park, with form figures of 1138. The Chris Gordon-trained nine-year-old has scored on both runs on the old course at Cheltenham (where this race is run), with both victories coming on good ground. He’s won plenty of good quality races on soft ground, too, so conditions underfoot are unlikely to faze him. Winner of the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January, he was a determined victor, ahead of impressive subsequent Grade 3 Coral Trophy Handicap Chase scorer Forward Plan. If allowed to bowl along in front, Annual Invictus could outrun his double-figure odds on the opening day of the Cheltenham festival.

With Cheltenham form figures of 262B81, LANGER DAN holds excellent claims on improving upon that fine record. The Dan Skelton-trained Ocovango gelding comes to hand at this time of year, especially on a quick surface, having landed the Imperial Cup at Sandown in 2021, prior to an outstanding runner-up spot behind Galopin Des Champs at the Cheltenham festival. He confirmed his liking for this venue with a determined head success in this contest last season. That victory came from his current handicap mark of 141. It would be a surprise if Langer Dan was not able to play a leading role in the finish of this year’s renewal, under optimum conditions.

Five-time Grade 1 winner, DELTA WORK, must hold outstanding win credentials in this season’s Cross Country Chase, on day two of the Cheltenham festival. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned veteran is also a dual winner on this unique track and bids for a remarkable third straight victory in this contest. Gordon Elliott’s inmate rates the horse to beat on cross country form and thrives on deep ground, which may inconvenience some of his rivals.

CHANTRY HOUSE is a hugely intriguing runner in this season’s Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, run over three miles on day three of the Cheltenham festival. Owner J P McManus has been responsible for three out of the last five winners of this race and looks to have a leading contender once again. Successful on three occasions at this venue.

Chantry House reverted to hurdles after nearly a year off the track with an encouraging third here from an official handicap mark of 147. He couldn’t push forward from that good springboard at Sandown subsequently but showed he has life in the old legs yet with a fine fourth at Huntingdon, qualifying for this event in the process. A mark of 143 certainly appeals from a handicapping perspective, having been rated in the 160s over fences in his pomp.

Unbeaten in two runs at Cheltenham, BANBRIDGE will be on many punters’ radars at this season’s festival. The Joseph O’Brien-trained Doyen gelding has an already impressive CV over fences – with a record of four wins from six attempts – including a G2 victory as a novice. He warmed up for this with an excellent success over a battled-hardened and race-fit Pic D’Orhy on his seasonal debut at Kempton. An improving type, Banbridge has scope to progress further and his opposition have question marks to answer to, including Stage Star, who was pulled up when last seen.

SIRE DE BERLAIS boasts incredible Cheltenham course form. The J P McManus-owned 12-year-old has certainly entered the veteran stage of his impressive career, but has a remarkable three Cheltenham festival victories to his name – a dual winner of the Grade 3 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle in (2019 and 2020) and a gusty scorer of the Stayers’ Hurdle last season. Clearly a strong staying type, he cannot be written off with such a wonderful attitude at this track and ought to be popular with punters at a tasty each-way price.

GA LAW is certainly one of the interesting each-way chances in the ultra-competitive Plate Handicap Chase over the extended 2m4f distance. The Jamies Snowden-trained eight-year-old was winning for the second time at Prestbury Park when landing a hugely-contested handicap chase here in January. His low and fast jumping won him the race that day, coupled with the switch to the new course, which seemed to aid him throughout. The Plate Handicap Chase is run on the same track and he’d be one to keep firmly in mind, especially over a journey he excels over.

This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup looks at the mercy of two-time course winner GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, who would be undefeated at Cheltenham except for a last-fence fall when clear of his rivals in the 2022 G1 Novices’ Chase over 2m4f. A chase record of eight wins from 11 attempts (seven G1 wins) clearly indicates his impressive career record and he is at least 7lb clear of his nearest rival on official ratings. It will take a mighty performance from another runner to upset the Willie Mullins-trained superstar.

2023 G3 Grand National winner, CORACH RAMBLER, could be popular for each-way backers at attractive odds. Despite scoring at a lower level than the illustrious Galopin Des Champs – winning back-to-back G3 Ultima Handicap Chases – Corach Rambler is unbeaten at Cheltenham and is one of the horses in the line-up who could have improvement to come. A thorough stayer, he is likely to be finishing his race off strongly and could easily pick up the pieces for a minor placing.