Man On The Spot previews Friday at Cheltenham

1330 JCB Triumph Hurdle

Defi Du Deuil is three from three around here and has won all five starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 - he’ll not surrender that record easily. The Irish form this season has given out mixed messages but Bapaume, Ex Patriot, Mega Fortune and Dinaria Des Obeaux would all have claims if at the top of their game. Landofhopeandglory also enters calculations as he didn’t enjoy the heavy ground at Fairyhouse last month and was a decent stayer on the Flat, finishing fourth when favourite for last year’s Queens Vase at Royal Ascot when Soldier In Action and King Julien were well behind. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding may have more speed than the majority of these if this turns into a tactical affair. Soldier In Action didn’t beat much at Doncaster last month and was behind Forth Bridge at Musselburgh on his debut, though should get a lot closer today. However, his trainer Nicky Henderson also runs CHARLI PARCS and we are going to forgive the latter a below-par run in the Adonis at Kempton, where he was being ridden when falling two out. He’d given weight and a sound beating to eventual winner Master Blueyes at that track on his UK debut and connections believe they have the French import back on song.

Sky Bet: Money back if your horse loses in the Triumph Hurdle

1410 Randox Health County Hurdle

Five and six-year-olds have dominated this ultra competitive handicap in recent years. Willie Mullins has won three of the last seven renewals and Irish yards have taken seven of the last 10, though the Paul Nicholls stable have also won it twice and Dan Skelton’s Superb Story landed a gamble 12 months ago for the home team. Skelton has three entered this year with jockey bookings suggesting North Hill Harvey, who won the Greatwood here in November, is the stable selection. Ivanovich Gorbatov won the Triumph here exactly a year ago but hasn’t got his head in front since while Diego Du Charmil was raised 9lb for beating Dominada at Musselburgh. The Betfair Hurdle is normally a good trial for this but the form hasn’t worked out this year so we’ll ignore Newbury fourth Song Light as well as Boite, Wait For Me and De Name Escapes Me. Nietzsche was just caught in the Fred Winter here on Wednesday so JALEO was facing a very stiff task trying to give him 14lb at Catterick in January. Ben Pauling’s charge stays further than this so will relish the likely strong pace and, though Alex Ferguson may put up a couple of pounds overweight, he could be a decent each-way bet at big odds. Mick Jazz’s novice form is working out well and he was a fair third in his only previous run in a handicap so should go well for the all-conquering Gordon Elliott team with Jack Kennedy doing the steering.

1450 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Proven form at Grade 2 level or above is a key pointer in this. Wholestone has lost just once this season and has vital course experience. His jumping has improved with time and he beat Ami Desbois over track and trip in December. Constantine Bay found stepping up to 3m no problem at Doncaster but would probably need even more to figure in a race like this. Death Duty was driven out to beat subsequent Grade 3 winner Monalee at Navan and then accounted for Turcagua in a Grade 1 at Naas, though the result may have been different had Augusta Kate not come down when challenging at the last and Gordon Elliott’s runner is tackling 3m for the first time today. THE WORLDS END is making rapid strides and there was a lot to like about his nine-length defeat of No Hassle Hoff, who was receiving 7lb, at Haydock. A line through the latter gives him a big chance against a number of these. Penhill got back to winning ways stepped up to 3m at Limerick but he is Flat-bred and this has not been a good race for similar types in the past.

1530 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cue Card has won nine Grade 1 races and been successful twice at The Festival. He was prominent and travelling as well as anything when coming down three out in last year’s race and no-one would begrudge the 11-year-old a Gold Cup victory. However, he’s the oldest in this race and it might be that he’ll find a couple of his younger rivals have closed the gap in the last 12 months. Stablemate Native River was just beaten by Minella Rocco in last season’s National Hunt Chase but went one better in a Grade 1 novices’ event at Aintree. He’s already won the Hennessy, Welsh National and Denman Chase, easily beating Bristol De Mai on the latter occasion, this season and is deserving of his place in the line-up. Last year’s runner-up Djakadam and Outlander have been trading blows in Ireland recently and can’t be ignored but SIZING JOHN could improve past both. He was second to Douvan in last year’s Arkle but has been campaigned over further this season and battled well to beat Empire Of Dirt on his first try over 3m in the Irish Gold Cup last month. If Robbie Power can conserve his stamina, he could spring a surprise.

1610 St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

On The Fringe is bidding for a hat-trick in this and will likely be a short price. He had the perfect prep race at Leopardstown last month and had fellow veteran Paint The Clouds back in third last year, though the latter wasn’t beaten far and won his only race this season at Doncaster. Pacha Du Polder and Aupcharlie were others who were close up 12 months ago but Salsify, the winner in 2012 and 2013, looks held on the form book. Wonderful Charm has won both starts this season and is a Grade 2 winner over fences. Katie Walsh will give him a good ride but it must be significant that Will Biddick, who usually takes the reins, gets off Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old to maintain his partnership with ASK THE WEATHERMAN. Jack Barber’s charge is very much the dark horse in this but he dispelled any doubts about his ability to handle regulation fences when winning unchallenged at Wincanton and he’s a superstar between the flags. Anseanachai Cliste has won 12 Irish point-to-points but only one of his six starts under Rules.

1650 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

This is another Festival handicap that has been dominated by first and second-season hurdlers. Champagne Classic is potentially well treated on his handicap debut on an improved third in a Grade 3 at Thurles but NO COMMENT (NAP) was giving 10lb to a subsequent Grade 3 winner at Plumpton in January and by-passed the Coral Cup to take in this slightly easier contest - a mark of 137 appears to have underestimated his ability. Lac Fontana won the County Hurdle on this day three years ago and won a Grade 1 subsequently. But he’s been below par this season while stablemate Tommy Silver was raised 6lb for winning at Taunton. Dell' Arca could be an interesting runner at decent odds as he wasn’t far behind Doesyourdogbite at Kempton on Boxing Day, though is hard to catch right and didn’t perform as well next time behind Verni at Taunton. Castello Sforza is preferred to Battleford of the Mullins’ runners and Thomas Campbell may be the pick of Nicky Henderson’s three entries as little went right for him last time at Ascot and he’s had a break since.

1730 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Solar Impulse beat Dandridge and Rock The World in this last year and is better off at the weights with both, though has changed stables since. It was be no surprise if Jessica Harrington’s charge proved the pick of that trio today as he looks to have been laid out for the race. Former champion chaser Dodging Bullets has only run in one handicap previously but has been looking a shadow of his former self. We prefer stablemate LE PREZIEN, who is a lot less exposed but has already won around here and has been taking on some top-class novices. Alan Fleming’s Velvet Maker is also worth a second look as he had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month, though was only 12th in this last year. Theinval will enjoy the drying ground and has had a nice break since winning at Plumpton in December while the mare Solita is also largely unexposed over fences and Paul Townend rode her to victory at Fairyhouse a year ago.