Soft ground is anticipated, ahead of this season’s eagerly-awaited festival.

As the tape rises for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, there will be a mighty roar from punters and National Hunt fans at Prestbury Park. The defection of ante-post favourite, Ballyburn, has left this contest wide open.

Gordon Elliott’s sole representative, FIREFOX, holds strong claims. A fourth in Grade 1 company at Navan in January was better than the bare result suggested, having jumped and travelled smoothly throughout the race, he looked to have not fully stayed the 2m4f distance. The drop back to the extended two-mile trip appears is a wise move and his form prior to that event was high class – he got the better of the aforementioned Ballyburn at Fairyhouse in December.

SLADE STEEL could play a huge part in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, following two victories over hurdles from three attempts, including a Grade 2 success.

The Telescope gelding enhanced his reputation, despite a runner-up effort last time out, having to play second fiddle to Ballyburn at Leopardstown. He previously showed a smart turn of foot to win at Navan and had to dig in well to see it out that day, showing a determined effort. A truly run race is likely to play to his strengths here, too.

One at a bigger price to keep a close eye on is TELLHERTHENAME, for in-form trainer Ben Pauling. The trainer has made no secret of how much of a class horse they think they have at the yard.

The Malinas gelding dotted up in a Huntingdon maiden hurdle before appearing to lose his action in Grade 2 company at Aintree. He got his season firmly back on track with an effortless success back at Huntingdon and arrives for this acid test as a fresh horse. With his high cruising speed, it would be folly to dismiss his claims at attractive odds.

In what promises to be potentially one of the hardest Arkle Chases to predict in many a year, FOUND A FIFTY has rock-solid claims.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old has made a successful start to his chase career, with two wins and two second-place finishes. His runner-up spot behind the reopposing Il Etait Temps last time offered what should be a fascinating watch here, with our selection having the chance to reverse form at this slightly shorter journey.

He has also shown more accurate jumping over fences thus far, which should aid his chance at this tougher jumping test. Likely favourite, Gaelic Warrior, is the most talented on paper and is officially the highest rated, but his tendency to jump right is a concern. He also has something to prove after a lacklustre run last time, where he unseated his rider when well-held.

QUILIXIOS could be one of the forgotten horses of the entire festival this week.

The 2021 Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle winner had been off the track for nearly two years, prior to impressing in two of three chase outings this term, including a devastating jumping performance at Naas in January. His leaps were accurate and he made lengths on his rivals on numerous fences throughout that novice event. That should stand him in good stead here, against a few rivals who have shown wayward jumping tendencies.

One for each-way players is the strong-travelling MY MATE MOZZIE, who could stalk rivals before offering a late run for the placings. He already has course-winning form, having sauntered to a facile success at this venue in October.

A subsequent second to Found A Fifty was no disgrace, finishing ahead of two high-class Willie Mullins horses. The quicker they go upfront, the better My Mate Mozzie’s chances here and we can see him latching onto the leading pack rounding for home, under conditions that shouldn’t pose an issue.

This ultra-competitive handicap chase has numerous contenders and is as wide-open as the market suggests.

THE GOFFER bids to improve on a fine fourth in this race last season, behind the future Grand National winner Corach Rambler (now officially rated 13lb higher) and Fastorslow (now 20lb higher). The form of that event could hardly have worked out better and the selection has warmed up for this with a trio of quiet chase runs to protect his handicap mark, followed up with a confidence-boosting flat victory at Punchestown.

With more chasing experience under his belt this season, The Goffer has the right profile to land this handicap chase prize for a trainer who appears to have prepared him to be at peak form in March. Horses towards the front end of the betting have a good record in this race – eight out of the previous 10 scorers have been 10/1 or under in the betting.

MONBEG GENIUS may have had a poor season but cannot be ignored, returning to the scene of his excellent third in last season’s renewal. He disappointed after a highly encouraging third in the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury in December, when down the field at Kelso, perhaps not enjoying that sharp course. It is hoped he can rekindle his best form back here, with first-time cheekpieces a potential catalyst for improvement. Don’t leave him out of each-way calculations.

STUMPTOWN delivered a first victory of the season last time in first-time blinkers, with an authoritative five-length success at this track, over a slightly longer distance. He ran an excellent second on his other start at this venue – agonisingly a neck behind the winner of the Kim Muir Handicap Chase last term. That good festival form enhances his claims and he arrives in top form. He could also have more to come in blinkers, which bodes well for connections.

STATE MAN will be the banker of Tuesday for many punters. The Willie Mullins superstar has been given an outstanding chance of adding to his incredible eight Grade 1 wins, since the defection of Constitution Hill, due to injury. The son of Doctor Dino has at least 10lb in hand of his rivals, on official ratings, and the race looks at his mercy. A victory for State Man would provide Willie Mullins with a fifth Champion Hurdle success.

The race is on the places in the Champion Hurdle, barring a significant mistake from State Man. The ever-popular NOT SO SLEEPY, is yet to finish better than fifth in the Champion Hurdle, from four attempts, but is one to consider if allowed to set his own fractions upfront. Third in official ratings, the Hughie Morrison-trained veteran may have enough to cling on for a minor placing at big odds, in what rates as a sub-standard renewal.

COLONEL MUSTARD may be the outsider of the field at the current prices, but the striking Makfi chestnut shouldn’t be underestimated for a placing. He has Cheltenham festival form, having run an excellent third behind State Man in the 2022 County Handicap Hurdle. Chasing was put on hold, following a modest effort in Graded company last time, but he got his season back on track with a solid second behind the reopposing Nemean Lion over hurdles at Wincanton. First-time blinkers could help reverse that form and he isn’t without a chance at massive each-way odds.

This race should provide Willie Mullins with a remarkable tenth success in this Grade 1 for mares. The master trainer is responsible for four of the runners, including the top two in the market.

LOSSIEMOUTH is clearly the one to beat, after remaining unbeaten at Cheltenham, following a smooth nine-and-a-half-length victory here in January. She has already won at the festival, having landed last year’s G1 Triumph Hurdle and should take all the beating here. Her only question mark is the step up to 2m4f but she has the requisite class to cope with the demand.

The only horse to beat Lossiemouth in the UK is GALA MARCEAU, who got the first run on her in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last season. She blotted her copybook last time, weakening tamely in a race she ought to have stamped her authority on, which is a concern. However, it would be folly to dismiss her chances after just one poor performance, and if improving significantly for the return to this venue (runner-up in the aforementioned Triumph Hurdle), she is one to keep safe, especially racing over her optimum distance.

YOU WEAR IT WELL appears to be an insulting price, having won the G2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season. She made all the running that day on soft ground and would be dangerous to ignore if allowed to lead here. The daughter of Midnight Legend was behind Marie’s Rock on a penultimate outing but could finish closer to her this time, dropping back from three miles to 2m4f, rating a place squeak at huge odds.

As ever, a hugely competitive renewal of the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, almost guaranteed to be run at a furious pace from the offset. With a host of potential improvers, it may be foolish to be heavily involved from a punting perspective.

One who catches the eye is OSE PARTIR, trained by Martin Brassil, who’s well known for expertly guiding horses towards a targeted race. Ose Partir had no right to get anywhere near his competitors in Graded company for the previous two starts but hinted at how well he may be handicapped in both runs. Given a mark of 126, it could be lenient, especially judged on a keeping-on eighth in the G2 South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle in December.

PALAMON could give each-way supporters plenty to cheer if able to continue his progression over hurdles. The ex-Richard Hannon-trained flat winner has built on each start over hurdles, culminating in a fine third at Naas, keeping on well over a shorter trip.

He appears as one of the types needed to land a contest like this, seemingly peaking at the right time, after being allotted a handicap mark of 121. His conqueror that day, Ndaawi is much shorter in the betting here, but our selection appears to have been trained with this one target in mind all season and appeals at the prices.

BRIGHT LEGEND is another each-way option, having shown enough in three hurdle runs, including an eye-catching third second at Naas last time, wearing cheekpieces. Despite setting a quick tempo throughout, he was in with every chance jumping the last and only waned in the closing stages. That encouraging run should have given the son of Zoustar the experience necessary to put in a bold performance at Cheltenham and he shouldn’t be inconvenienced if ground conditions are slow, as a flat scorer on a deep surface.

A disappointing turnout for the finale on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, the National Hunt Challenge Cup, over 3m6f.

CORBETTS CROSS comes into this race with a slight question mark, after falling in a Fairyhouse chase, when sent off as a short-priced favourite. His previous chase form is strong, in the context of this event, after beating a good horse in Three Card Brag, prior to an excellent second in Grade 1 company. A reproduction of that would be good enough to triumph, especially raised in trip (scored over three miles). Corbetts Cross will wear a first-time hood which could spark improvement, too.

HENRY’S FRIEND has had an extremely productive campaign, with a career-best effort to land a Grade 2 at Ascot last time out. That completed a hat-trick of wins over fences and this gutsy improver is at the top of his game. Despite having a few pounds to find with the likely favourites on official ratings, it would be wise to consider him a strong contender, with the potential for further improvement over this longer journey. First-time cheekpieces clearly helped on that occasion and could continue to offer Henry’s Friend the encouragement to find further progress.

SALVADOR ZIGGY wouldn’t be without a chance reverting to fences after a down-the-field run in a Grade 1 hurdle. The galloping grey has bagged three victories from four chase starts, winning those by an aggregate of over 30 lengths. Still a novice over fences, he has significant scope to rate higher, especially raised to a marathon journey – a dual winner over three miles, who has looked a thorough stayer – and interestingly is in the Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree next month.