IF the Christmas racing cleared a few things or cemented a few horses in place at the top of various Festival markets, the blue riband - the Cheltenham Gold Cup - looks more confused than ever.

A few new names made a play for consideration and more may have dropped off that Road to Cheltenham, like Ronnie Corbett off the treadmill in that other ‘Road to’ video!

There are grounds for thinking you can write off Presenting Percy, Samcro, probably Delta Work and Lostintranslation as likely Gold Cup winners.

In recent decades, horses rarely win it on their second, never mind third, attempts. Neither do horses with issues – and we have a few of those (Delta Work, jumping; Kemboy, the track; Lostintranslation, health).

There is a bit of a cloud over the Elliott string but it’s hard to get enthusiastic about his three from the Savills.

A Plus Tard, Kemboy, Melon, Allaho and Frodon are not guaranteed to stay the Gold Cup trip. The other two de Bromhead horses didn’t come through the period very well, with Minella Indo falling and Monalee out injured.

Santini stays but how long will it take him, and he’s racking up a lot of underwhelming performances.

It seems to rest between the four top yards of Mullins, de Bromhead, Nicholls and Henderson. One horse who may hold the key was absent from last year and, though he may not be capable of winning, the 2018 winner Native River could play a part.

He is a thorough stayer and must be ridden to exploit that and thereby expose any weaknesses in that department from his rivals. Frodon and Bryony Frost at Cheltenham are a force to be reckoned with – his fluent jumping was a joy in the King George and that saves both energy and gains lengths.

But you could see Native River disturbing Frodon’s rhythm and pushing some of those doubtful stayers out of their comfort zone before the turn for home. Last year we had no less than 10 horses still in with a chance on the final bend, a far cry from some of those Gold Cups where we had strong stayers stretching the field.

While Al Boum Photo sets the standard, and nothing really came close over Christmas, a top-form Frodon should not be 16/1.

Champion Chase

The Champion Chase picture looks clearer with Chacun Pour Soi dominant in Leopardstown, but remember Douvan was beaten at 2/9 and the only flaw in Chacun Pour Soi is he’s never run at Cheltenham.

By contrast, Altior’s Cheltenham record is top class. But he’s making more headlines for what he’s not done than what he has in the last year. He didn’t actually finish the Kempton race like a horse with an issue and looked like he needed two and a half miles. Politologue, like Frodon, may not get the credit he deserves. Cheltenham will suit Put The Kettle On better, as might forcing the pace with her good jumping.

Some suggested Chacun’s slowing up on the run-in indicated he might not get up the hill but it can be forgiven due to him being committed early and no last fence made it a long run home.

The Champion Hurdle picture also took a different slant with Epatante and the two leading Irish challengers beaten but it would be foolish to dismiss the mare on one below-par run.