1:50 Cheltenham Tips

JARRIVE DE L’EST was 4¼ lengths behind the re-opposing Final Orders when second over C&D (good) last month. That was his first start for this yard after a 264-day absence. He’s 6 lb better off with that rival today, and with a run under his belt, he can be expected to reverse that form. This gelding's prior form in France was good. He won five times in 12 starts over fences, with two of those victories coming in cross-country events. All of those runs in France were over distances shorter than 3 miles. However, he handled the step up to this trip well last time, and the softer ground today could see further improvement. That last effort came off a mark of 123. He is up to a mark of 126 today, but he looks like a progressive seven-year-old, and it would be no surprise to see him take the spoils today.

I'm convinced Final Orders wins here in March, and I think he's good enough to win for the second time over these fences en route to the Festival. Jumped like a stag LTO and has Donoghue in the saddle, who is such a positive over these fences. A 7 lb rise shouldn't halt his progress after a dominant win.

The 11-year-old has been good for connections, with 10 wins over fences. Runner-up twice last May and still showing ability. Yet to fire this winter, but this cross-country race might put a spring into his step. He was rated 15 lb higher at one point last winter. Just one previous try in this course/distance cross-country race, just over a year ago, and he was running well before taking the wrong track 3 out.

This horse last won the Great Yorkshire Chase off this handicap mark. If this new discipline can revitalise him, he can outrun his odds here.