Cheltenham day-by-day guide

Tuesday

Possibly not the greatest Unibet Champion Hurdle there has been, but we said that last year and the ill-fated winner looked exceptional. Nicky Henderson’s mare Epatante is likely to go off favourite, but conditions are ripe for an upset. Ballyandy, Cornerstone Lad and Not So Sleepy on soft going could all run well at big prices. If Envoi Allen goes in the Supreme he will be hard to beat. I have not seen a horse jump like Notebook and he should set up Rachael Blackmore for a good week in the Arkle.

Wednesday

The Betway Champion Chase looks the race of the week and it is hard to split two-time winner Altior and young pretenders Chacun Pour Soi and Defi Du Seuil. Tiger Roll rocks up for a third Glenfarclas Cross Country, but preparation has been rushed and he may find Easysland tough to beat. If it is bottomless, do not disregard the each-way chances of Kid Commando in the Ballymore and Copperhead looks good for the RSA.

Thursday

Paisley Park should repeat his Stayers’ Hurdle win, with Emitom and Benie Des Dieux, if she opts for it, the main threats. Frodon may find A Plus Tard hard to beat in the Ryanair. Faugheen, the former Champion Hurdle winner, would be a popular winner of the Marsh Novice Chase. Itchy Feet is the British horse to beat and Olly Murphy will hope to break his festival duck.

Friday

The Magners Gold Cup is, to borrow a phrase from the great racehorse owner Sir Winston Churchill, “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”. Al Boum Photo is the reigning champion but, like last year, has only had the one run at Tramore.

Nicky Henderson said he wanted it to dry up to see the best of Santini. He will finish strongly, but might be left a bit flat footed when the taps are turned on. At the moment, I side towards Delta Work.

Goshen can take the Triumph Hurdle for Gary Moore, while I will probably be napping Lieutenant Rocco, a 20-1 shot, in the Albert Bartlett whether Robbie Power chooses him above Harry Senior or not.