Kopek Des Bordes is seeing plenty of support to land the Supreme Novices Hurdle on Day 1 of the Festival. He produced a top-class performance at the Dublin Racing Festival and Kopek Des Bordes looks a solid contender to keep his unbeaten streak intact.

Winning all 3 of his appearances to date and producing a mind-blowing performance last time out when dominating a tough Grade 1 by an impressive 13 lengths, Willie Mullins has another superstar on his  hands with this one.

Hardly asked for an effort from Paul Townend, who is likely to take the ride again at Cheltenham, Kopek Des Bordes has now been backed into an odds-on shot and he’ll take some beating in the Supreme.

Landing the Irish Gold Cup in fine style for the third consecutive year at his beloved Leopardstown (unbeaten in his last 7 appearances here) last time out, Galopin Des Champs is looking to etch his name further into the history books by becoming only the fifth horse to land 3 Cheltenham Gold Cups.

Winning impressively over Christmas when beating Fact To File by 7 ½ lengths before finishing full of running in the Irish Gold Cup and wanting to go further, he’s had the perfect preparation for the Gold Cup and looks set to make history if all goes to plan.

Although falling last time out in what looked to be setting up for a great battle with State Man, Lossiemouth’s sights are still likely to be set on the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and another clash with Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill. The easier option of the Mares’ Hurdle is always a possibility, but considering the Champion Hurdle has always been the plan, it’s likely we see a rematch of the Christmas Hurdle.

Winning 6 hurdle appearances in a row before losing to the unbeaten Constitution Hill, she didn’t look herself from an early stage, but racing more enthusiastically before coming down last time out, she was  looking promising and should bounce back for the big occasion. She will have her work cut out against a truly special horse, but she looks set to be competitive again.

Ballyburn looks set to take on a 3m trip for the first time in his career in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, this may put doubts in people’s  minds but considering how well he stayed on here last year over 2m5f and last time out at Leopardstown, the extra mileage should be taken in his stride.

Staying on well to win by 5 lengths at the Dublin Racing Festival after racing keenly, he will need to settle better in the Brown Advisory, and considering Sir Gino (ruled out of the Festival) has been the only horse to have beaten him in his last 7 appearances, he’s the one to beat with Paul Townend almost certain to be in the driver’s seat.

Originally tasked with taking on the unbeaten Sir Gino in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham before his withdrawal, Majborough now has an easier task ahead and looks a natural over fences. Making the switch in December, Majborough is unbeaten in 2 starts and given he is heading to Cheltenham off the back of winning the Irish Arkle by an impressive 9 lengths, he looks a top-class horse in the making.

Although making a couple of mistakes last time out, his jumping stood the test, delivering when needed and with confidence at an all-time high – this is his race to lose.