I’m surprised that OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW has drifted in the lead-up to the festival. The Gordon Elliott-trained daughter of Walk In The Park has been excellent in two hurdle wins this season – notably when beating the short-priced favourite, Bambino Fever at Naas in December.

Plenty of people believe that that runner will ‘automatically’ reverse the form because they now race at Cheltenham – where Bambino Fever won the Champion Bumper – but I’m not convinced. Our selection is an improving type, who romped home at Fairyhouse last time. She is way overpriced in comparison to the favourite and can run a huge race.

If there is to be a big shock, it may come from a GB-trained mare.

LA CONQUIERE holds genuine each-way claims, having shown good form this campaign. The Le Havre seven-year-old ran second in a Grade Two bumper last term, prior to two straightforward hurdle wins.

Her subsequent runner-up position at Ascot was a touch disappointing at the time, but she sat last for the majority of the contest, in what turned out to be a tactical race. I’m giving her another chance to show how talented I think she is, for a trainer who landed this prize in 2023.

REGENTS STROLL must have leading claims, for last year’s winning stable.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Walk In The Park gelding ran a fine third behind Wendigo on chase debut, before easily winning a two-runner contest at Wincanton. His latest effort – a second at this track – offers a big clue to how potentially well handicapped he may be from a mark of 145.

He ran behind a novice, who ran third in a Grade One at Sandown, and ran ahead of an easy next-time-out winner.

With Lossiemouth having switched successfully to the Champion Hurdle, I’m looking no further than hot-favourite, WODHOOH. The Le Havre mare is at least 4lb ahead of her rivals, and is showing no signs of stopping her upward profile. She easily beat Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby at Leopardstown in December, giving weight all around. Off level weights here, there is little chance of reversing form, barring a mishap.

TAKE NO CHANCES has the potential to finish runner-up to Wodhooh, given her profile.

She appears to be a classic improver on spring ground, with her trainer arriving in top form.

She ran third behind Lossiemouth in this last season – clearly appreciating the track – and was only eight lengths behind Wodhooh at Aintree last term, which may be good enough to place here, if replicating.

I can’t let KABRAL DU MATHAN race without backing him, as a saver.

The Dan Skelton-trained runner has been a wildly impressive horse over hurdles this season, winning both starts for his new trainer.

His demolition in Grade Two company at this venue last time cemented his strong claims here. He has to prove his stamina over three miles – and this is a difficult race to attempt – but he surged clear over an extended two-mile trip last time, so I am giving him the chance to shine here..

MA SHANTOU holds outstanding each-way credentials, following her superb course record. He has won three times from four runs at the track – all coming over this staying distance. His upward trajectory was clearly evident, when a seven-length scorer of the Cleeve Hurdle. Dominant winners of that race have gone on to land this prize – including stablemate Paisley Park and Thistlecrack. The selection is almost guaranteed to run his race and stay on strongly, when it matters most.

HEART WOOD may be able to pick up the pieces by following Fact To File home in second, just like he did last season.

That excellent Cheltenham festival form should count for plenty, and he now has bundles of chasing experience. His runs this season have been promising, too.

He has scored in a brace of Grade Three Chases, notably on decent ground, too, which is anticipated on Thursday. I wouldn’t discount him for a placing, with a few of his rivals not usually seen to best effect at this track.

I've been waiting for this race all week! I didn’t think that I’d be saying this at the start of the season, but SUPREMELY WEST appears to have been perfectly primed to deliver his best in this staying handicap hurdle. He is trained by a master at preparing his horses for top handicap at this fixture.

I was first drawn to him on seasonal return, when running on strongly for 3rd at this venue over the old course – the winner was Ma Shantou – who holds solid claims in the G1 Stayers’ Hurdle. His next three runs were modest, but having already qualified for his, I can easily forgive them, especially when they came over inadequate distances, under somewhat tender handling. He is surely to peak in this race and take advantage of his current mark of 135.

BOLD ENDEAVOUR is seriously well handicapped on old form.

The Nicky Henderson-trained runner is a whopping 13lb lower than when fourth in this race two years ago. His form had tailed off completely for his former trainer, but the switch back to Henderson may have turned him around here. A recent pipe opener for this was a good third at Huntingdon, where he showed much more spark about himself.

I’m hoping that a return to Cheltenham can further improve his form, in what is obviously an extremely competitive event.

JERIKO DU REPONET has been highly discussed and favoured, in the build up to Cheltenham 2026. It’s no surprise, given his connections and quiet performances over fences thus far, compared to the peak of his excellent hurdle runs. He ran a solid second behind a subsequent Grade Two winner at Kempton to begin this season. Next, was a sympathetic ride behind his sole rival at Wincanton. I think his handicap mark was being protected when downfield in Graded action at Warwick last time. His mark of 145 looks lenient, judged on his 149 hurdle rating, and I’m convinced he’ll go close – especially with cheekpieces returning (a win and second sporting them last term).

DAILY PRESENT is another returning Cheltenham festival winner, having been an impressive scorer of this race last season.

He is 6lb higher this time around, but I don’t believe that is insurmountable, given how he won that race. I also believe that he is another who has been handled well by his trainer this campaign.

I’m sure those two hurdle runs were merely preparation efforts to ensure he arrives in peak condition. The quicker ground will definitely suit, too, and he is reunited with last year’s winning jockey.