"MANNA from heaven" is how J.P. McManus described the 6/1 available about My Tent Or Yours in the Champion Hurdle without the favourite market, adding tongue-in-cheek “if only you could get on!”

The Dunraven Arms hosted a stellar panel on its final preview night – hosted by the brilliant Nick Luck – the panel consisted of trainers Philip Hobbs and Ben Pauling, jockey Derek O’Connor, ‘Pricewise’ tipster Tom Segal, local trainer and RTÉ pundit Andrew McNamara, and private bookmaker Willie Power.

Tom Segal was in agreement that ‘My Tent’ would finish second as the entire panel agreed Buveur D’air was unopposable in what Andrew Mc described as “a worse Champion Hurdle than last year.”

When asked, only one lady in the entire building gave Faugheen a chance. O ye of little faith.

There was unanimous agreement among the panel that Getabird, short-priced favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, was indeed too short for the Festival opener and most offered Kalashnikov as a rock solid opponent with Ben Pauling adding: “I saw him working and he is devastatingly fast. Better ground will suit him too.”

A race which the panel were surprisingly split on was the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

For most of the season Samcro has been spoken about in the same ilk as our Lord and saviour, and the banker of the Festival for most people, but only Philip Hobbs offered him as the likely winner.

Segal suggested: “Samcro’s times are not good and should be nowhere near 4/5.”

Pauling said: “Vinndication is a very, very good horse” and went with him while Andrew Mc sided with On The Blind Side.

Derek O’Connor suggested Vision Des Flos as his bet of the week adding: “I rode him to win the Goffs Land Rover Bumper and that has worked as one of the best bumpers ran in years. Hollowgraphic was second to him and is now joint-favourite for this year’s Champion Bumper. He won a listed hurdle by 30 lengths last time out. That doesn’t happen too often. He has had a wind operation and it appears to have done the trick.”

The Irish-English rivalry was evident when discussing the Arkle as Derek and Andrew couldn’t see past Footpad but the English contingency offered up Saint Calvados as a worthy adversary.

Little time was spent discussing the Mares Hurdle as everyone agreed it was a formality as long as the brilliant Apple’s Jade turns up.

UNOPPOSABLE

The panel swiftly rattled through the Queen Mother Champion Chase believing Altior to be unopposable with Segal professing “for me, Altior is even better than Sprinter Sacre.” Andrew Mc did say that if Douvan turns up he will have the utmost respect for him.

Pauling started the Gold Cup chat saying it was “Might Bite’s to lose. He’s not as quirky this year.”

Segal agreed Might Bite is the most talented but argued: “His King George form isn’t good enough and he has too many quirks. Our Duke is the bet for me.”

Derek O’Connor received rapturous applause when the video of Edwulf’s Irish Gold Cup win was shown and he waxed lyrical about the horse: “He would have been a ready winner of the four-miler last year had the medical anomaly not occurred and it was nothing short of a miracle to get him back to win the Irish Gold Cup.”

When pressed on his chances, Derek admitted: “He’s in great form and is one of four or five with a chance in an open Gold Cup.”

Nick Luck jokingly asked Ben Pauling his opinion on the horse, knowing he had previously handled him and through a wry smile Ben said that he, “called the man who suggested he be recommended to J.P. a moon man.”

Even the best get it wrong sometimes.

Richard Johnson, who spoke via telephone, believes: “Native River’s quieter preparation this year is a big help and with Colin’s horses in form, he’s my most exciting ride of the week. He was impressive in Newbury.”

When asked which horse he would most like to sit on, Johnson admitted: “I would love to ride Sam Spinner in the Stayers Hurdle. He has done nothing but improve this year and must have a big chance.”

BACK TO BEST

Of his charges in the Stayers Hurdle, J.P. said: “I wouldn’t put anybody off either Yanworth or Unowhatimeanharry. Both have a good chance,” with Pauling adding that Harry Fry believes he has ‘Harry’ back to his best and was his selection.

On Triumph Hurdle favourite Apple’s Shakira, McManus added: “Nicky (Henderson) and Barry (Geraghty) believe she will appreciate the better ground and I’d be disappointed if she doesn’t run a competitive race.”

The panel were in agreement with only Hobbs offering his own Gumball as an alternative saying: “Gumball is a horse we think a lot of and he’ll be a different horse on better ground. We do fear Apple’s though.

J.P McManus believed, “if Pendra had the third last to jump last year he would have won the Kim Muir.” From a similar mark this year, “he has to have a decent chance.”

Derek announced he will take the mount on Pendra again in the Kim Muir and also added he will partner No Comment for Hobbs and McManus in the National Hunt Chase.

O’Connor called Un Des Sceaux an incredible racehorse and wins if Waiting Patiently doesn’t run.

Andy Mc said he “was unbeatable if it came up soft,” with Segal suggesting Balko Des Flos but added he must have good ground.

There was added tension in the room when the Bumper was discussed as Acey Milan spent time in the care of the Murphy family – who own the Dunraven Arms – before being sent to Anthony Honeyball, with Segal adding, “I’m tipping him as I need a lift back to the airport.”

The panel agreed he has an excellent chance with Derek tipping Hollowgraphic.

Ben Pauling added his horse Le Breuil is “high class but had foot trouble that is now resolved, likely to run in the Coral Cup.”

Hobbs said his best chance was Louis’ Vac Pouch in the Pertemps Hurdle.

PANEL’S BEST BETS

Andrew McNamara: Tiger Roll (Cross-Country) and Whiskey Sour (Martin Pipe)

Tom Segal: Modus (JLT Chase), Barney Dwan (Close Brothers Chase) and Hunters Call (County Hurdle)

Derek O’Connor: Vision Des Flos (Ballymore Novices) and Foxrock (Foxhunters Chase)

Philip Hobbs: Louis’ Vac Pouch (Pertemps Hurdle)

Ben Pauling: Vinndication (Ballymore) and Oistrakh Le Noir (Fred Winter)

Nick Luck: Chef Des Obeaux (Albert Bartlett)