SIXANDAHALF sprinted to the top of the betting for this race, following a commanding 12-length success in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle. The dual flat winner, officially rated 94 on the level, showed her aptitude for jumping, with quick and accurate leaps throughout. A largely dry weather forecast can only help her claims, having won on good ground at Newmarket.

Winning a bumper on debut last year before taking to hurdles, Jubilee Alpha has kicked on further over hurdles, winning two of her three appearances.

Scoring impressively at Taunton in December before landing a double at Windsor in January, she’s a progressive sort who should produce another bold effort in this sphere seeking the hat-trick.

NURBURGRING could be attractively handicapped over fences, from an official mark of 143 – some 7lb below his hurdle rating. He also fared well on his sole attempt at this venue: he finished fourth in last season’s Triumph Hurdle. Returning to Cheltenham, coupled with the likelihood of quicker ground (won on good), offers plenty of positives for a bold showing.

A four-time winner over hurdles before embarking on his chasing journey, Springwell Bay looks even better over fences. Winning two of his four appearances and getting better in all three of his visits to Cheltenham, he looks a real threat today.

Producing an impressive display last time out and cruising to a
nine-length victory over course and distance, his 9lb rise shouldn’t halt his progress given his current mood.

JERIKO DU REPONET certainly hasn’t been missed in the market, as the likely favourite, but he has outstanding claims if going close for Nicky Henderson. The unexposed six-year-old has had a mixed career, showing major promise as a novice, followed by being pulled-up in the G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last term. He was subsequently pulled up on his chase debut, too. Two handicap hurdle efforts this campaign have offered the hope of winning a big pot, especially raised to three miles (won a 3m point-to-point), with first-time cheekpieces applied.

Jeriko Du Reponet is a solid each-way selection for the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. This Nicky Henderson-trained six year-old gelding has shown significant potential. He secured a notable victory in a Pertemps qualifier at Leopardstown, impressively handling the three-mile distance.

Also, his strong third-place finish in a competitive qualifier at Exeter further underlines his consistency and stamina over similar trips. These performances highlight his aptitude for long-distance hurdles, making him a strong contender for the Pertemps Final.

IL EST FRANCAIS is a fascinating runner for French-based trainers Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm. The enigmatic chaser ran a mighty second in this season’s King George VI Chase at Kempton – setting a frantic gallop throughout. He was only just caught after the last fence that day, with the drop in trip a positive here. He could prove hard to catch and we have seen plenty of all-the-way winners in this contest, over the years.

Winning this race last year and with Fact To File failing to get the job done in his latest two starts, a resurrected Protektorat holds bold claims on his return to Cheltenham.

Although winless in his three starts after winning this event last year, he returned to his front-running tactics in January, where he
dominated by 23 lengths and can’t be forgotten about looking to retain his title.

THE WALLPARK is a fascinating runner, who has stepped up in class after impressive handicap hurdle victories, including at this venue, when fourth in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. He wasn’t suited by the steady gallop that day, and ought to be seen to have a better effect on this testing circuit. It was a positive from his owner, JP McManus, that he runs here, given he had another entry at the festival this week.

A top-class hurdler who won this and the Irish equivalent for the first time since 1999, and given he has only lost once since, he holds leading claims on his return.

Beaten last time out in December by Lossiemouth, who hacked up in the Mares’ hurdle on Tuesday, he’s the sort that runs well when fresh and should be tough to dethrone here today.

JAGWAR was a winning selection for us at this track in January, comfortably winning over course-and-distance. A 7lb appears lenient, given the relative ease in which he scored. A strong-travelling type, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old has scope for further progress, especially in a big-field handicap. It would be disappointing if he could not find further improvement, with ground conditions to suit.

Paul Nicholls’ Ginny’s Destiny ticks plenty of boxes for the Festival Plate, with a strong course record and a progressive profile over fences. Cheltenham form is key in this race, and he’s already notched up two wins at Prestbury Park this season.

Novices have dominated in recent years, and with his front-running style, he could get plenty of these in trouble early. He stays well, jumps soundly, and the drying ground should play to his strengths. With a mark that looks fair, he’s a rock-solid each-way player.

WALKING ON AIR is an intriguing runner for Gary Brown, who arrives in excellent form. The eight-year-old ex-Nicky Henderson inmate looked certain to land a big handicap chase at Doncaster last time, before falling at the final fence. Despite a 4lb rise, he can go close, as he is progressing nicely, with a quicker surface suiting well.

Sine Nomine holds plenty of appeal here, prior to an unfortunate pair of recent runs (fell and unseated rider), she had won three consecutive races.

She won last year’s Hunters’ Chase at the Festival at 8/1 and was travelling with plenty of promise before falling late in the race last time out. This mammoth 3m2f trip will suit her perfectly and at 25/1 she looks a great each-way play. Sin Nomine stays all day and if she gets a clear round of jumping in, she could be a big player here.