All of Ireland will be shouting for Samcro

The Cheltenham roar goes off the scale when one of their ‘bankers’ lives up to expectations

The Irish are an integral part of the congregation worshipping at jump racing’s cathedral, and there is no Cheltenham thrill like it when that country unites behind an “Irish banker”. Some of Cheltenham’s greatest scenes have been provided by the likes of Istabraq, Like A Butterfly and Danoli, and our friends from across the water are throwing the kitchen sink behind their latest potential star, Samcro, today.

It feels like the whole of Ireland is willing this horse on. I was at Leopardstown to see Samcro bolt up at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and this is a horse who has got the lot.

He has size, power and a perfect temperament, and could be the fellow to deliver in the Baltimore Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott, who has had a disappointing start to the Festival.

The course commentator today has the opportunity to whip Cheltenham to a frenzy right from the first race. Just imagine as they freewheel down the hill if he can exclaim: “Jack Kennedy and Samcro are making ground, the jockey has not moved a muscle.” The place will go mad, the atmosphere will be electric.

I hope Samcro delivers. Racing needs superstars, ITV needs the sport to have superstars, and there is relief all round that we will see racing’s current A-lister, Altior, in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Former jockey Mick Fitzgerald knows the time of day at Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard and describes Altior as a rocket,

who would win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and, probably, the Champions League if they let him enter it.

Fellow ITV presenter and former jockey Luke Harvey, who is the perfect height to get a close view of these things, tells me that Altior’s foot problem can be skipped over, and it is fantastic news that we will see that horse go head-to-head with Douvan.

Douvan has often been spoken about by Willie Mullins as if he is the best horse that he has ever trained but, even by Willie’s amazing standards, this would be one of the great training performances of all time for him to win. Douvan has had exactly 12 months off the track after suffering an injury in this race last year.

In the Coral Cup, Fixe Le Kap can run a big race at a big price. He has had problems this season but is back in top form at home and has the soft ground that he relishes. I have spoken to Daryl Jacob and he is going to ride a patient race, sneaking into contention, and he is one of the best in the weighing room at that. You could not wish to meet a nicer guy than Daryl, and there is nobody better at holding up a horse, so I have given him his riding instructions and told him to creep into the race.

I have been quietly backing Tiger Roll all winter to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. He was so eye-catching when having a “sighter” here in December and has been given plenty of practice round these bends, banks and unique fences.

Elliott, his genius trainer, could easily have the first two, with Cause Of Causes out to retain his title. Tiger Roll is only small but stays longer than Matt Chapman on

Dancing On Ice and loves Cheltenham, having completed a bizarre double in the two-mile Triumph Hurdle and four-mile National Hunt Chase here.

With Samcro and Altior versus Douvan as the headline acts, what a day this promises to be.