Faivoir favoured to double his tally as Cheltenham opens up

It has been a while, but a sense of normality will return to Cheltenham today when it stages a meeting without any crowd restrictions – and Faivoir can lay down an early marker for March.

Trained by Dan Skelton, Faivoir was a rapid improver over timber last season but always looked to be marking time. In the raft of stable tours that appear at this time of year, Skelton has spoken favourably of this six-year-old – and after making a winning debut at Uttoxeter over fences this month, he bids to double his tally in the 888Sport Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

A Grade Two winner over hurdles at Haydock, he was third to The Shunter in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso – before ending his campaign with wins at Newbury and Cheltenham.

Judged on his Uttoxeter performance, Faivoir could scale even greater heights over fences and is expected to give weight and a beating to his rivals at Prestbury Park.

Dragon Bones looks an interesting runner for Ian Williams in the 888Sport What's Your Thinking Novices' Hurdle. The six-year-old has built up up a very likeable profile since causing a 50-1 shock on her debut in a Worcester bumper.

Not disgraced behind Eileendover in a Listed bumper after that, she was chucked in the deep end for her hurdling debut at Listed level at Doncaster but made no mistake, causing another big upset at 40-1.

Ironically she then unseated when odds-on next time out, but is a perfect three from three since, winning at Hexham, Worcester and Newton Abbot.

She had every right to win all those, and this is a different kettle of fish - but until her winning run ends, we simply do not know how good she is.

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Handicap Hurdle. Well backed for the Paddy Power and December Gold Cups, he did not even complete – and he fared little better back over hurdles in the spring.

However, he is only six, and the likelihood is he just needed time to strengthen up. With another winter on his back, he could repay those who keep the faith.

Marquis Of Carabas was put forward by Fergal O'brien as his best chance over the two days, in the Andy Stewart Memorial Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase. O'brien has been banging in winners left, right and centre recently – but this one has not been seen for 900 days.