“I THINK it could be Djakadam’s time. I rode him work on Saturday and he is absolutely flying. He has never been better and will take a helluva lot of beating,” said Willie Mullins’ assistant David Casey on the stable’s leading Gold Cup hope at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

The packed audience were treated to a night of forthright views from the panel consisting of Casey, trainers Neil Mulholland and Gordon Elliott, broadcaster Gary O’Brien, commentator Richard Hoiles, journalist Mark Winstanley, jockey Noel Fehily and bookmakers Brian and Ronan Graham.

Elliott, who will have a team of around 30 horses at Cheltenham, also couldn’t see past double Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam as he commented: “I think he is a good thing. He has had better preparation this year and ran Don Cossack to four lengths without good preparation last year.”

He revealed that his Gigginstown chaser Empire Of Dirt, who is due to contest the Ryanair, would be his best hope if rerouted to the Gold Cup.

Fehily, Mulholland and Ronan Graham confirmed their admiration for Djakadam but Winstanley issued a note of caution on him: “Djakadam has been to Cheltenham four times and fallen twice so he’s too short for me. I’ve backed Native River and Empire Of Dirt who I hope runs in this race.”

DARK HORSE

An open-looking Champion Hurdle elicited a range of views. Hoiles would be interested if Limini was supplemented while Mulholland flagged up Moon Racer as a dark horse.

Fehily, who has been confirmed for the ride on Buveur D’air, said of his mount: “He has a decent chance and would like the ground to be on the slow side. I hope they don’t supplement Limini as she is a big danger.”

Brian Graham and Winstanley pinned their colours to the Brain Power mast with Graham pointing out that Nicky Henderson’s charge has improved to a mark of 162, which Annie Power won this off last year.

Casey summed up the panel’s views on red-hot favourite Douvan in the Champion Chase: “He’s a star and he’s got everything. He has pace and stamina and jumps very quickly.”

Hoiles identified Special Tiara or God’s Own each way without Douvan, while Brian Graham advised that Un De Sceaux would be value each way if this was his engagement.

Fehily was effusive in his praise of Arkle hot-pot Altior as he said: “He’s probably the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He’ll win barring an accident. He travels off a really fast pace and can quicken off it which other horses can’t do.”

Winstanley gave Royal Caviar as a “great each-way bet without Altior.” Casey and Hoiles looked for horses that could pick up place money and came up with Forest Bihan and A Hare Breath respectively.

There has been plenty of hype over Melon for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle which Casey tried to downplay: “He lacks a bit of experience. He won a weak race well but I don’t think he deserves to be favourite. I think it is 26 years since a horse won this off one race.”

Brian Graham pinpointed Henderson’s good record in this race as he suggested River Wylde at a price.

The panel were bullish over Harry Fry’s unbeaten Neon Wolf in the Neptune. Winstanley called him a certainty and advised punters to “load up, get down the old bank and get it on the Wolf!”

Neon Wolf’s jockey Fehily added: “I think the Neptune is the race he will run in and I think the trip will suit. He improved at Haydock and showed a good turn of foot. I wouldn’t put anyone off him.”

Mulholland recalled a lot of talk about Neon Wolf before he won his bumper and said he should win and that Bacardys might give him most to think about.

Hoiles liked Neon Wolf but gave an each-way shout to Thomas Campbell.

RINGING ENDORSEMENT

In terms of the Champion Bumper, Casey passed on that Patrick Mullins will ride the favourite Carter Mckay with Ruby Walsh on Next Destination. He classed Jessica Harrington’s Someday as a threat.

Elliott and Brian Graham raised doubts about Carter Mckay’s value as both queried his form.

Fehily takes the ride on Robbie McNamara’s Quick Grabim and gave him an each-way chance at around 25/1, as he has to go left-handed.

Un De Sceaux was given a ringing endorsement by Casey for the Ryanair as he said: “He’s in great form and looks well. The step up in trip will suit. He doesn’t have to make the running. Softer ground improves his chance.

Elliott believes his Empire Of Dirt has a good chance but the handler said Un De Sceaux would take a lot of beating.

Fehily was straight to the point on Un De Sceaux: “If he turns up on soft he’ll win as he’s the best horse in the race.”

The jockey is on board Unowhatimeanharry, who is a short price for the Stayers Hurdle, and his comments will have heartened punters: “His last run was very impressive and he looks the one to beat.”

Death Duty heads the market for the Albert Bartlett and Elliott couldn’t have been more positive about him: “My horse is a galloper and I think the world of him. He settles and jumps and he has done more than Don Cossack and No More Heroes had done at this stage.”

PANEL’S BEST BETS

Richard Hoiles - Winter Escape (Non-runner no bet for County Hurdle)

Neil Mulholland - Southfield Royale (Kim Muir)

Mark Winstanley - Neon Wolf (Neptune)

David Casey - Yorkhill (JLT Novice Chase)

Noel Fehily - The Druids Nephew (Ultima Handicap Chase)

Gordon Elliott - The Storyteller (Martin Pipe)

Gary O’Brien - Forge Meadow (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)