Placing in the top three in 87% of his races, BARON NOIR has been consistent in his three racecourse appearances over hurdles, and although taking a big step up in grade, he does hold each-way claims at a big price.

Scoring twice in bumpers before embarking on his hurdles journey in November last year, Baron Noir finished a respectable three lengths second behind Cristal D’estruval, who then went on to win by a dominant 38 lengths next time out and remains unbeaten. Form that stacks up well, Baron Noir won at Uttoxeter to wrap up last year before producing a career-best when staying on well over the 2m trip at Kempton.

No doubt about it, he will need to improve to take this race away from the likes of Old Park Star and Talk The Talk. However, he is still unexposed over hurdles and given his

After pulling up in two of his last three appearances over hurdles, STEEL ALLY made the transition to fences, where he has thrived and is currently unbeaten.

Winning all three of his starts over the larger obstacles, his performances have been getting better and better with every appearance, landing two Grade 2 races with ease at Ascot and Warwick more recently. Jumping extremely well at Ascot in December to win by nine lengths before improving to beat Mirabad by 10 lengths at Warwick, his jumping has been impressive since making the transition, and although he is facing his toughest test to date, he is open to further improvement.

Versatile in terms of ground, Steel Ally has won on good to soft, soft, and heavy in his three chase starts, so the ground won’t cause him any issues, and although there are only two places on offer, his A game will make him a real threat in the Arkle.

Finishing in the top three in 100% of his races, POURQUOI PAS PAPA has recorded results of 2,2,2,1,2 over hurdles, and given he wasn’t a million miles away from the reopposing Manlaga last time out, he holds solid each-way claims.

Winning at Wincanton in January in testing conditions, he followed up with a bold display at Haydock, where he was beaten by 2 ¼ lengths off Manlaga, but given he comfortably beat The Mighty Celt by 7 ½ lengths (3rd) and is close in the betting for today’s affair, I know where my money is heading. Poised for a bold performance and considering there are six places on offer for this race, he’s a solid each-way option for the Fred Winter.

Racing out of Paul Nicholls’ yard, who has won this race three times, all with recruits from France, Pourquoi Pas Papa could add to that trend today and can’t be overlooked.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE is a consistent nine-year-old who has finished inside the top three in 83% of his racecourse appearances, and considering there are six places on offer today, he needs to enter calculations.

Producing a spell of promising form of late, albeit without a win in his last three starts, but he hasn’t done himself any disservice in the way he has run and looks likely to come on further in today’s Ultima. A previous course and distance winner last year, and considering he should have won at Ascot in December when beaten by a head, promising signs are coming from the nine-year-old.

Seeing market support last time out in the Denman Chase when met with unsuited heavy ground, today should be interesting to see how he fares back on ground that he enjoys, and you’re likely to see him race prominently from the get-go.

Placing in the top three in 77% of his races, ALEXEI is going under the radar, with the majority looking at the top two in the betting.

Steering away from Lossiemouth and The New Lion, Alexei has produced some very credible form of late, winning three of his five starts in the last six months and looking likely to progress further. Winning at Ascot in November before scoring over course and distance in the Greatwood, he’s piecing together some strong form and building a solid case for today’s Champion Hurdle.

Producing a career-best last time out when winning a Grade 2 in testing conditions, today’s firmer ground is right up his street, and although he needs to improve to win today’s contest, he has been on an upwards trajectory of late.

Securing top three finishes in 75% of his races, PEAKY BOY has been lightly raced of late, but he’s a talented chaser on his day and could well be battling in the business end of the Plate.

Five places to aim at in the Plate boosts Peaky Boy’s appeal at a big price, and considering he loves racing here at Cheltenham, he can’t be overlooked. Winning three of his four appearances at the track, which includes two runs over hurdles, Peaky Boy is lightly raced, but he does run well after returning from an absence.

Although preparation could have gone better for today’s contest after falling at the second fence at Newcastle last month, he was returning from a year off the track and given this is his first fall in his career, he is likely to bounce back with cheekpieces in action for the first time today.

KURASSO BLUE is the youngest runner in today’s field (5), but considering he has finished inside the top three in 80% of his starts and there are five places on offer, he holds bold each-way claims.

Racing three times over hurdles and picking up two wins before making the transition to fences, he has replicated that same form over the larger obstacles and has improved further. Recording results of 2,1,2 Kurasso Blue has beaten some talented opposition along the way, and given he is versatile in terms of ground, with wins on good and heavy, he looks a promising entry for Gordon Elliott.

Sent over 3m for the first time in his career in January, he finished a respectable second when staying on well, and he has the potential to improve further stepping up in trip again today.