3:35 Cheltenham Tips

With a mark of 159, IMPOSE TOI is top-rated in this field and is 3 lbs clear of his nearest rival (Strong Leadfer). He has beaten that rival twice, including the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (3m, Good to Soft, soft in places) last time out. This Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old started in a handicap this season, winning by 3¼ lengths off a mark of 148 before winning a Grade 2 at the first time of asking and then the aforementioned Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle. He’s a very smooth traveller who doesn’t seem to want to do a great deal in front. There does appear to be plenty of pace in the race, which will help in that regard. The trainer has been in excellent form over the past 14 days, securing six winners from 22 runners with a further three placings. That yields a strike rate of 27.27% with a level-stakes profit of +38.53. Nico de Boinville has ridden this gelding on all three occasions this season, and he too is in good form, with two winners from six rides over the past 14 days, yielding a strike rate of 33.33% and a level-stakes profit of +16.80.