The following tables show the highest timefigures run to by individual horses in each category in the last six months, with the higher the timefigure the better the performance. A few horses appear in more than one category, and some of the ratings have been revised due to the race, or associated form, working out well or poorly.

HURDLES, 2M TO 2M 4F

In the continued absence of Faugheen, this division has a slightly substandard look to it. Petit Mouchoir leads the way courtesy of his front-running win from Nichols Canyon in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Yanworth’s best timefigure came in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but he was only two below that in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last time. The New One could be higher still on his soft ground win in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham but not on other recent starts.

HURDLES, >2M 4F

All three of Unowhatimeanharry’s runs this season have resulted in wins and timefigures of 156 or higher, with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last time – when he beat Cole Harden conceding 8lb – just about the pick of them. He would probably have beaten Ballyoptic comfortably enough in the fog at Ascot the time before that, which is where the latter gets his figure.

Snow Falcon comes out best of those trained in Ireland in a division which again lacks strength in depth. Camping Ground (see other table) should come right into the reckoning if stretching out his stamina for longer trips.

CHASES, 2M TO 2M 4F

The Douvan and Altior showdown may have to wait for another year, meaning the former looks all but untouchable against what is left in the Champion Chase. Leopardstown at Christmas was the scene of Douvan’s peak recent figure - one he looked like he could easily improve upon - but Cork a couple of weeks earlier was another 170+ performance.

Sizing John and Djakadam get their best timefigures at shorter distances (the former behind Douvan in that Leopardstown race but also when winning at Thurles) but both may run at further.

CHASES, >2M 4F

Cue Card’s Betfair Chase win at Haydock in November remains the best single timefigure by a staying chaser this season and he has run similar numbers at times in the past. He clearly wasn’t himself behind Thistlecrack at Kempton on St Stephens Day, and the latter ran faster still when just denied by the ill-fated Many Clouds at Cheltenham. Nonetheless, Tenor Nivernais put up an even better time effort when he and Cue Card contested separate races at Ascot recently. Bristol De Mai was last of three to Native River (best timefigure of 161) at Newbury recently but has every chance on his Peter Marsh Chase romp at Haydock previously. Outlander and Champagne West are at least at the top of their form among Irish-trained candidates.

NOVICE CHASERS

A vintage season for novice chasers, in which Altior is the pick as a result of his easy Game Spirit Chase win at Newbury last time (though he also ran exceedingly fast against just one rival on his chasing debut). His task in the Arkle Chase is still easier with Min currently injured.

Might Bite gets his figure from Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, when he would have won by many lengths but for falling at the last, and is best of the stayers still operational. Top Notch’s win at Sandown last time is rock solid on the clock and showed his aptitude for an in between distance, as did Disko at Leopardstown and Edwulf at Naas (the latter likely to tackle much further next time).

JUVENILE HURDLERS

The Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown in February provides the one-two of juvenile timefigures, with Mega Fortune - transformed by soft ground and an enterprising ride from the front - taking the scalp of Bapaume. Most of Defi Du Seuil’s races have resulted in slow times, but not the one at Chepstow over Christmas in which he accounted for pace-setting Evening Hush.

Ex Patriot is a recent mover up the charts after his first past the post at Fairyhouse (race awarded to Dinaria Des Obeaux, 131 timefigure). Charli Parcs was in trouble when falling two out at Kempton last time (race won by Master Blueyes) but had run a useful time in a truer race on the course at Christmas.

NOVICE HURDLERS

Things could look quite different after Cheltenham, with no outstanding novice hurdler identified on the clock to date, but Death Duty (at Naas) and Wholestone (at Cheltenham) put up efforts on their most recent starts that just about have them leading the way. West Approach gets his figure from running against experienced and classy hurdlers, while Neon Wolf has bags of scope for improvement from his fast-time Haydock win against fellow novices. Let’s Dance would additionally get a sex allowance if racing in open competition.

Moon Racer (132) and Melon (113) are highly-touted novice hurdlers who have yet to back it up on the stopwatch.

>BUMPER HORSES

The races won by Black Op from Claimantakinforgan at Doncaster and Someday from Voix Des Tieps at Leopardstown provide the top four bumper horses on time but none of those is quoted in the betting on the Cheltenham Bumper.

With some others having gone hurdling and Getabird injured, Western Ryder - who gets his figure from winning at Ascot - comes right into the reckoning, having also done well in a slowly run contest at Newbury last time. Carter McKay, the ante-post favourite, has outsprinted rivals in both bumpers he has contested but could find this a very different test.