Recommended bets:
2pts win Might Bite in 2.10 Cheltenham at best morning price
1pt win Peregrine Run in 2.50 Cheltenham at best morning price
1pt win Sausalito Sunrise in 4.10 Cheltenham at best morning price
It seems inconceivable that Douvan will be beaten in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained French import has looked a class act all along and bids for a third victory at the meeting after taking the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' in 2015 and, last year, the Racing Post Arkle.
Currently nine from nine over fences, Douvan has again looked imperious this season in three starts at Cork, Leopardstown and Punchestown and has a career reord of 14 wins from 15 starts, the only defeat coming on his debut in France.
Quite simply, he could be one of the greats and, while the likes of Fox Norton, God's Own and Top Gamble are all solid campaigners at two miles, it will be a major shock if any of them can get close to the long odds-on favourite up the hill.
For betting purposes, most punters will look elsewhere.
Neon Wolf is a big fancy for the opening Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle based on a hugely taking victory at Haydock in January when he jumped particularly well.
However, ground conditions were soft that day and, while a step up in distance might suit him, this could be a very different experience.
On a day when several favourites look tempting, I would prefer to side with MIGHT BITE in the RSA Chase.
Many pundits seem to have gone cold on his claims, yet this is the horse who was in the process of putting up one of the most outstanding performances all season at Kempton on Boxing Day before falling at the last.
Had he stood up, Nicky Henderson's chaser would have recorded a faster time than Thistlecrack in the King George, and the re-opposing Royal Vacation, the horse left clear for a fortuitous victory, has won since.
The big question is whether Might Bite's jumping will stand up to this test and that is a chance his supporters will have to take. But his talent is hard to dispute.
Tombstone could well be a good thing in the Coral Cup, even up against 25 rivals.
Gordon Elliott's gelding finished an excellent fourth behind Altior, Min and Buveur D'Air in last year's Supreme and arrives here having beaten former Champion Hurdle winner Jezki at Gowran Park.
However, he is up in trip and PEREGRINE RUN, a winner over the course and distance back in November when beating Wholestone and West Approach (both of whom have thrived since) looks a good alternative from further down the weights.
Ground conditions will suit him much better here than when he was beaten at Warwick in January and he appears set to go off at too big a price.
I am also an admirer of Kalondra, a sweet travelling horse who continues to improve, but Noel Fehily's mount went up 12lb for winning at Huntingdon last time and is also up in grade.
Later on, SAUSALITO SUNRISE is an interesting runner in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase.
Trained by Philip Hobbs, who sent out the hugely popular Balthazar King to win this in 2012 and 2014, the nine-year-old is the joint highest-rated runner in the field and has been a smart chaser in the last year or two, winning here and at Ascot as well as finishing a close third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April under 11st12lb.
Below that form so far this term, Sausalito Sunrise could well be revitalised by this different test and, if so, looks value at double-figure odds. If he takes to the course, he is certainly good enough to win under Richard Johnson.
Posted at 1150 GMT on 14/03/17.
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