TELLY VERDICTS

Best bets for today’s TV action from our experts

DODDIETHEGREAT

(2.50) can kick his rivals into touch on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The horse named after late rugby union legend Doddie Weir flew home for fourth in the Betfair Hurdle and should relish the return to further in the 2m5f Coral Cup.

The Betfair form is solid with the third and fifth, Go Dante and Favoir, fighting out a thrilling finish to last weekend’s Imperial Cup.

Doddiethegreat has been crying out for further on his three starts at 2m since coming back from a long injury break – and Nicky Henderson (above) appears to have been saving the move for today. Stable form is the worry but Luccia’s cracking third in the Champion Hurdle offers some comfort. BALLYBURN (1.30) is the first of three odds-on favourites for Willie Mullins today and can’t be opposed in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after thrashing yesterday’s Supreme winner Slade Steel last time out.

He’s one for the accas, as is his stablemate EL FABIOLO (3.30), who should outclass his Betway Champion Chase rivals.

Fact Or File, the third Mullins hotpot, could be the one to take on. The hype machine has already anointed him a Gold Cup winner in waiting, but his Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase odds are based largely on reputation.

This race tends to favour more streetwise types and STAY AWAY FAY (2.10) fits that bill.

Last year’s Albert Bartlett hero will be battle-hardened by his foray into open company in the Costwold Chase and his stamina will be a huge asset on this ground.

DELTA WORK (4.10) has won the last two runnings of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase yet can be backed at 11-4.

He always comes alive here and those odds look like a gift for punters.