Returning this year looking to retain his title after making history, Teahupoo is the one with the target on his back again. Winning the Stayers Hurdle comfortably by 3 ¾ lengths last year before making history when landing the Irish equivalent by 6 ½ lengths, he was the first horse since 1999 to accomplish this feat and looks set to make a bold return to the festival.

Last seen at Fairyhouse in December when finishing second to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, he was denied landing this race for the third year in a row but should bounce back in the Stayers given the opposition he is faced with.

Gordon Elliott looks set to leave the decision until around a week before the event of where this mare runs. Brighterdaysahead has entries into both the Mares’ Hurdle and Champion Hurdle, she will be a top competitor in either event she ends up in. Plan A was to run in the Mares Hurdle and given her performances since finishing second in the Dawn Run here last year, she will take some beating there.

Winning her next 4 appearances after being handed her first defeat, Brighterdaysahead has beaten last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Stateman twice in the process, and given she won last time out in  December by a dominant 30-lengths, she could well give Constitution Hill a run for his money if the decision is made to go for the Champion Hurdle.

Likely to race in the Turners but also holding an entry in the Albert Bartlett, The Yellow Clay will be competitive in any field he is tasked with. Currently unbeaten over hurdles in 4 appearances and taking on a variety of ground conditions, he is making solid progress for Gordon Elliott.

Producing a career-best performance in the Lawlor’s at Naas when last seen in January, he stayed on extremely well to win by a comfortable 8 lengths on testing ground and although a hefty price in the Turners, he’s not one to be overlooked.

Getting his first taste of the Cheltenham festival last year when finishing second to Jasmin De Vaux in the Champion Bumper, Romeo Coolio has really kicked on since being sent over hurdles. Winning a non-contest on his hurdles debut at Down Royal (won by 18 lengths) before admittedly using the wrong tactics when second at Fairyhouse, he bounced back with a fine display at Leopardstown in the Future  Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) last time out.

Showing plenty of speed and taking the race by the scruff of the neck to win easily by 9 lengths, there looks a lot more to come from the 6-year-old, likely to run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival.

A previous winner at the festival last year over hurdles when winning the Martin Pipe on testing heavy ground, he has since made the switch to fences, where he is really excelling. Beating last year’s Supreme  Novices’ winner Slade Steel on his debut over fences and only narrowly beaten by a head by Croke Park on Boxing Day, he’s shaping up to be an impressive chaser.

Heading into the Brown Advisory full of confidence after fending off a late challenge from last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story at Navan and shaping as though the race will really suit him at  Cheltenham, expectations are high on his return.