Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

I couldn’t oppose Facile Vega but having watched him blow out at the Dublin Racing Festival, would you stick your hand in your pocket and wade in? I’m not sure you can. For me, it’s a watching brief.

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

A belting race that has everything you’d want in a championship two-miler. You’ve a head-strong front-runner in Dysart Dynamo, and two very exciting novices, El Fabiolo and Jonbon, who are going to sit on his tail. It could set up for a horse coming from off the pace like Saint Roi.

Unibet Champion Hurdle

State Man has improved all season and looks to have improved again on his homework since, but the level Constitution Hill sets looks so high. I don’t see how State Man beats him.

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

The result we all want is Honeysuckle, but in sport that doesn’t always play out. I think a couple of the younger mares are on the up, and a couple of older mares are on the way down. Brandy Love, Echoes In Rain and Love Envoi are progressing and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve passed the others’ level.

National Hunt Chase

Gailliard Du Mesnil looks the one to beat. If Willie [Mullins] has drawn a blank by this stage, he should get out in this one.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

We’re big fans of Impaire Et Passe at Closutton. I was impressed with the speed he showed at Punchestown, and a turn of foot is key to winning the Ballymore.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

It’s a three-horse race between Gerri Colombe, The Real Whacker and Sir Gerhard. I’d be in the Gerri Colombe camp. He’s not impressive but he doesn’t lose.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

I thought it would be Energumene’s race coming into this season, but Edwardstone impressed me in the Tingle Creek and I think he’s better than this time last year. On this course, I think he’ll be very hard to beat on the Clarence House form.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper

A Dream To Share is a very fast horse and would be a dream winner for his connections. Patrick [Mullins] will have the pick of Willie’s, though he probably can’t do the weight on Fun Fun Fun. Fact To File has a great each-way chance.

Turners Novices’ Chase

The worry for Appreciate It is his age and if he can improve, whereas Mighty Potter has progressed with every run this season. I don’t have a strong view.

Ryanair Chase

I think it’s Shishkin’s to lose. I expect he’ll dominate again like he did at Ascot.

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

If we get rain, Teahupoo will take a lot of beating, and if we don’t I think Home By the Lee will benefit. Blazing Khal doesn’t seem to have had an ideal preparation. This is a deep race.

JCB Triumph Hurdle

To me, it’s impossible to know which of Willie’s runners is best. Paul Townend has ridden both Lossiemouth and Bloody Destiny but I doubt he even knows. Whichever Paul rides will be favourite and the other will drift. I think they should be the same price so would take a chance on whichever represents better value.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

It will only be a 19-day turnaround for Corbetts Cross from his win at Naas, but a three-miler running over just shy of two miles in that timeframe is probably just like a pipe-opener for him. I think he’s very good and I’ll be siding his way if the ground comes up right for him.

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

A Plus Tard, Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs make it a cracking race. Since his fall at last year’s Festival, Galopin has been foot-perfect. He looks like he’d gallop straight out of Cheltenham Racecourse into the middle of Cheltenham town - you might find him in Gloucester, he’d look to gallop that long. His prep has gone well and he looks a million dollars. I hope he wins.

Ireland’s Prestbury Cup challenge

I don’t see it being another greenwash. The handicaps could go Britain’s way.

Davy Russell’s return

I wouldn’t be much use at 43, but fair play to Davy. He looks the same rider as he was this time last year. If he’d broken his wrist he’d have missed as much time out as when retiring.

New British whip rules

All riders have been competing with a number restriction on whip use since 2011, so that’s not new to jockeys, and I don’t see anyone going over the limit to the extent where a disqualification is triggered. Do I see maybe quite a number of bans the following week for technical issues with the whip, such as height, time to respond and correct place? Yes, I probably could.

A breakout rider and trainer for the Festival

There’s a massive possibility that Danny Mullins could have an incredible week. As for a trainer, Emmet Mullins is making great strides and has big chances.

His nap of the week

Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore on Wednesday. I think he’s really good.

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