13:20 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

A very small field for the juvenile championship. The market has been dominated by the two Irish-trained, unbeaten and once stable companions Ouilixios and Zanahyir. The Cheveley Park owned Quilixios has now moved to Henry de Bromhead and has the considerable assistance of Rachael Blackmore. He looked more of a staying type when winning at the Dublin Racing Festival while Zanahyir had set the standard back in November when winning a Fairyhouse Grade 3 in a much faster time than Ballyadam in the Royal Bond on the card.

There’s a feeling that the Cullentra squad have been trained to peak here.

Tritonic has won his two outings for Alan King and though he was classy on the flat, his jumping is a bit suspect on faster ground.

The Mullins outsider Tax For Max only made his debut for the stable two weeks ago when he looked an awkward ride in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 but stayed in the fight to the end. That he runs here is interesting and he won’t have the slow early pace this time.

Adagio hasn’t run since Chepstow in January and the second there let the form down in the Boodles.

SELECTION: Zanahyir Next Best: Quilioxos

13:55 Randox Health County Hurdle

Five Willie Mullins runners provide a headache in itself – the trainer has won four of the last 10. The Mullins novice Ganapathi gets in on 10st 11lb, but might this hustle and bustle a bit much off three runs.

Dan Skelton has won three of the last five runnings – Third Time Lucki has plenty of experience for a novice and his fourth in the Champion Bumper last season, beaten six lengths by Ferny Hollow and less than four behind Appreciate It give him a huge chance.

You Raised Me Up has been recommended on may preview forums and comes with two wins for Martin Brassil. Champagne Gold is also a novice but went close at the Dublin Racing Festival and looks set for a big run.

SELECTION: Third Time Lucki Next Best: Champage Gold

14:30 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Fakeira has been the fancy of many after his run over two furlongs shorter behind Gaillard Du Mesnil at the DRF. It’s easy to see him being in the three. Stattler made most of the running in that race and faded to third after the last.

Ignore his last run and Streets Of Doyen is a course and distance winner and has decent form and John McConnell's two runners have run well this week.

Torygraph also has strong credentials for Denise Foster and N’golo won three through the early autumn before his form tailed off but all over two miles and the son of Galileo might be worth a few euros at long odds.

There is a stronger English challenge here, Adrimel may need it softer, but Barbados Buck’s looks a good young stayer.

SELECTION: Fakeira Next Best: Streets Of Doyen

15:05 WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

A fascinating Gold Cup to be run on decent ground sees Al Boum Photo bid for an third championship, in perhaps the toughest of the three he has contested. For a dual champion, it’s surprising he is not shorter but he has failed to ignite public appeal. This looks a tougher race than the last two.

A Plus Tard has emerged as many pundits choice and also that of Rachael Blackmore. He proved his stamina at Christmas but this is tougher.

Good ground should help a free-jumping horse like Frodon and help him get the distance while last year’s second Santini gets a visor. The ground may have gone against a bold run from Native River and Royal Pagaille also makes little appeal on better ground and at around 9/1. Lostintranslation ran a terrific race last year, upsides over the last but the fact that he has bled moer than once makes him a risky choice.

That leaves the two younger ‘first-timers’ from last year’s RSA Chase, the winner Champ and the second Minella Indo. Rachael Blackmore has forsaken Minella Indo after a fall and a disappointing run at the DRF but Jack Kennedy is a fine substitute. He will stay and has excellent course form and is much better than that last run. Champ has taken time to get the hang of chasing but his RSA win last year and his better jumping over two miles are huge positives.

SELECTION: Champ Next Best: Minella Indo

15:40 St James’s Place Hunters Chase

Professional riders change the dynamic here and Paul Towned takes over on last year’s second Billaway against Richie McClearnon on the winner It Came To Pass. Bob And Co’s chance is improved by the addition of Sean Bowen, though he is still a chancy jumper.

Tom Ellis’ Latenightpass is among the youngest at eight under Bridget Andrews.

Stand Up And Fight wasn’t ready for this two years ago when sixth as favourite to the now 13 year-old Hazel Hill.

SELECTION: It Came To Pass Next Best: Latenightpass

16:15 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2)

A decent field of 11 for the first running and witg Allaho winning the Ryanair so impressively, Elimay will be a short priced favourite after she chased him home in Clonmel. Irish stables hold a very strong hand. Colveery is penalised for the Grade 1 win on heavy going in Limerick at Christmas. But better ground will suit Cabaret Queen who made a bold bid in the Galway Plate and is a good jumper plus has Rachael Blackmore on board. She’s a live outsider. Shattered Love will be better suited by this trip than the two miles in Naas where Elimay had too much speed for her.

SELECTION: Elimay Next Best: Shattered Love

16:50 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

The finale looks like Dan Skelton against the Irish in pursuit of a £50,000 bonus with Imperial Cup winner Langer Dan. Simon Torrens has been a man to follow on the JP runners and rides favourite Gentlemen Du Mee. Jordan Gainsford partners Frontal Assault who stays and has plenty of experience for Sneezy Foster who has a strong hand with Folano. The Stayers Hurdle winner Gavin Cromwell has another strong chance with Gabynako

SELECTION: Frontal Assault Next Best: Langer Dan