+++THE CHELTENHAM TRENDS: DAY ONE+++

SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

■ 23 of the past 26 winners won last time out.

■ Nine of the past 10 winners were sent off at single-figure odds.

■ Seven of the past 15 winners were unbeaten this season.

Given the record of Willie Mullins in the race, Il Etait Temps is respected, on the back of his defeat of stablemate Facile Vega, who remains at the head of the betting. However, MARINE NATIONALE comes out best on these trends, remaining unbeaten and arriving at Cheltenham on the back of a Grade One win.

ARKLE TROPHY

■ 15 of the past 20 winners had run three or four times over fences.

■ 14 of the past 19 winners ran at last year’s Festival.

■ Eight of the past 11 winners were trained by Nicky Henderson or Willie Mullins.

It can pay to focus on El Fabiolo and

JONBON, with marginal preference for the latter, who has Cheltenham Festival form in the book from last year’s Supreme and has a little more chasing experience.

He was a three-time Graded winner over hurdles, including when beating El Fabiolo by a neck at Aintree.

CHAMPION HURDLE

AGAIN, focusing on the leading hope of Messrs Henderson and Mullins is the way to go, with this year’s race looking a straight match-up between

CONSTITUTION HILL and State Man. Both tick plenty of boxes, being unbeaten, second-season hurdlers who won here last year. Preference is for Constitution Hill, who won a Grade One rather than a handicap last year and looks exceptional.

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