2:25 Cheltenham Tips

James Owen trained Cavern Club gets the vote. Three wins from eight over hurdles including the competitive Class 2 Summer Hurdle feature at Market Rasen in July (2m, Good). Has retained form off a mark seven pounds higher, running well back there last time. Two previous starts at Cheltenham include a 50-1 second. Contender with fair shout.

The 7-year-old is smart on the flat, now rated a high 96. Just three starts over hurdles, which were this time last year, two wide margin novice hurdle wins and a close 4th on his handicap hurdle debut. The 2nd and 3rd from that race have gone on to better things since. He comes here fresh after a two-month break, and a hurdle mark of 115 should give him every chance in this £10K contest.

Close 2nd in this race last year and should improve from the comeback run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle when going too hard in front and tiring 2 out. On a winning mark.

Torquay Road won on hurdles debut at Sligo in July last year but was then unplaced in his first 6 handicap runs. He has found improvement recently, finishing 3rd at Kilbeggan in June and then 4th at Roscommon in July. He has since won at Sligo in August and followed up at Galway earlier this month off a mark of 107. He is up 11 lbs here, but in his current form, he looks a good EW bet with 4 places on offer.

Liverpool Knight has some good form in the past. Ran alright last time out at Uttoxeter and now on its last winning handicap mark, so not without hope.

In excellent form at Worcester this summer, he has won twice and been the runner-up on three occasions. After being out of handicap and well held at Chepstow 12 days ago, he is back on his correct mark now. Given that both the trainer and jockey are performing well, an each-way bet at 33/1 appears promising for this distance winner.