the prophet

Three hurdle starts for the 5yo. A nice 4L winner of a 14-runner maiden hurdle on his debut in December ??" solid form. Ran out at the second hurdle on his next start. Clear of the rest when beaten a length in a novice hurdle six weeks ago; the form has been boosted by the winner since. Attractive opening handicap mark for this contest, with more progress possible.

Back from a six-month break with two runs this winter for the 6yo. He was a winner of a 16-runner handicap hurdle last time out. The form seems fine for this level. He's returning from a seven-week break with plenty more improvement on the cards.

The 5yo hasn’t won this winter, but he has run a few nice races and posted decent RPR numbers. Most of his runs have been on the Polytrack. He did run on this surface in early Dec over this 8.5f C/D and was beaten by just a neck that day in a 12-runner handicap. He's effectively 12 lb better off now when taking into account the jockey's claim.

Three career runs for the 3yo. Never involved, but he has run in strong novice races. This nicely bred type should be more competitive stepping up to a 12f trip on his handicap debut, in which he runs off a low and attractive mark. The jockey booking is very positive.

Solid NHF bumper form from the 6yo, three wins from three including a Listed win. Progressive in his hurdle career so far, only one blip: three wins from four, all by wide margins. He has posted three progressively high RPR ratings. Only two rivals have posted slightly higher ratings. One of the best jockeys around, Ben Jones, is in the saddle. Twice a winner on testing undulating tracks and should be fine with the Cheltenham quirks. Worth his place at the top table in this Grade 1 and looks the each-way value bet.

A very progressive 5yo. He has 6 wins from 7 career starts. The only defeat was by a neck in a 17-runner Grade 1 hurdle race at the Festival last year. He has taken well to fences ??" 3 easy wins from 3 ??" running in good company. His last RPR rating is way better than what any of his rivals have shown. His main rival was a nice winner on his chase debut four weeks ago, but this quicker ground and a faster pace will be a bigger test for him.

Smart on the Flat and rated 89. The 4yo has two wins and a narrow defeat over hurdles. Beaten under a length when last seen over hurdles during October, that form was given a boost by the winner, who is supported in a Grade 1 on Friday at the Festival. That defeat was better than the actual result, as his jumping wasn't perfect that day, and good trainer James Owen has had plenty of time to sort things out and get some confidence back. Youngsters tend to improve very quickly at a young age, and a recent break is a positive. He's on a tempting handicap mark, and a recent Flat run should have sharpened him up.

Lightly raced 8yo. Progressive stats in his short chase career. He was a nice 5L handicap chase winner at this track in December over a similar 3m trip, and he beat a good small field that day. He can have more to offer and will be fresh after just two runs since October.

The 7-year-old mare has 8 wins from 12 over hurdles, four of them at Grade 1 level. She was an impressive Irish Champion Hurdle winner five weeks ago, never looking in trouble when taking it up entering the straight and grinding a strong field into submission. More to come from this one.

The 7yo is open to more improvement. Back from a six-month break with back-to-back chase wins last Oct, which included a C/D win. Beaten by just 3L in his only run since Dec, that form has taken a nice boost since. Looks like this race was a target and he is on a handy-looking mark.

Unexposed 7yo. This race looks like a long-term plan for the Irish raider. Just three runs over fences. Beaten just a length on his chase debut this time last year. He was a smart winner of a 15-runner handicap chase during November, looking good when coming from behind the pace to win by an easy 6L in the end, with the field strung out. He’s probably best judged when winning his second chase start, last May, with that form given a big boost since by the runner-up and by the well-beaten third. No question marks against the ability of the selection. A 15-week break since his last run will have him fresh, and he has preserved a nice-looking handicap mark.