Thistlecrack 6-5
Enormously progressive over the past year and his 12-length success in the Cleeve here in January is the best recent bit of form on offer. Had previously cuffed Reve De Sivola in a race that horse loves. Showed at Aintree and Punchestown last year that he doesn’t need bottomless ground. Should be hard to beat.
Alpha Des Obeaux 6-1
Was giving Thistlecrack a race at Aintree last spring until falling at the last, at which point he was probably held but trailed by only a length. Has had an unfortunate habit of bumping into classy animals, running second behind Douvan, Nichols Canyon and Arctic Fire at various times, with the result that his win-rate is low. Seized a good opportunity at Gowran last time and likely to run his usual game race once more.
Cole Harden 7-1
Made all to win this race last year on his first start after a wind operation and ran to a high level again when second in the Aintree Hurdle the next month. Hasn’t built on those efforts in two runs this season but excuses could be made and his performances so far have been quite similar to his pre-Festival runs from last season. Seems to relish drying ground, so a return to form is perfectly possible. Trainer had two disappointing favourites on Day One.
Saphir Du Rheu 10-1
Should be a chaser by now and won a Grade One in that sphere last spring but is once more returned to this race for the Festival. Ran a fine race to be second to Cole Harden last year and is the choice once more of Sam Twiston-Davies, who could have ridden Aux Ptits Soins. Has disappointed in both starts this winter but soggy ground could be an excuse for both runs and trainer expects a better showing now.
Whisper 14-1
Only fifth in this race last year after a very troubled preparation but turned the form with Cole Harden around at Aintree a month later. While Aintree suits him well, he is a multiple winner at Cheltenham too, including in the Festival’s Coral Cup two years ago. Has had a fruitless season so far but would be no surprise if he came good in the spring once more.
Aux Ptits Soins 16-1
The suspicion is that this six-year-old has a tonne of talent but various ailments have restricted him to just one start in Britain, when landing the Coral Cup at the last Festival on his first race for six months. He appeared to do well in a racecourse gallop last month but Sam Twiston-Davies has chosen to partner Saphir Du Rheu instead of him here. Plenty to prove but no surprise if he’s competitive.
Kilcooley 20-1
Drying ground looks a negative for this seven-year-old, who pulled 13 lengths clear of Rock On Ruby through the Wetherby mud in October. That form looked even better when the runner-up won at Ascot a few weeks later but Kilcooley has not been seen since due to “various soundness issues”. On his only previous venture into Grade One company, he was tailed off in a novice contest at Aintree two years ago.
Martello Tower 28-1
Stayed on dourly through rain-softened ground to win a Grade One novice contest at the last Festival. Beaten both times this season but ran perfectly respectable races. Needs another career best and hard to see why that should be forthcoming, with drying ground likely to be against him.
At Fishers Cross 40-1
Won at the Festival as a novice but that was in 2013 and he is winless since the month after that. Something has been troubling him, it seems, but he has run well in this for the past two years to be beaten just six lengths both times. Latest run was one of his poorest and his yard have struggled for form this winter.
Bobs Worth 40-1
Won three different Festival Grade Ones in consecutive years, climaxing in the 2013 Gold Cup, but the wheels came off after his victory in the Lexus the following winter. He has been beaten out of sight in four of his last five starts and it looks as though he achieved little in landing a small-field hurdle race at Aintree in November. This drying ground is likely to be too lively for him.
Lieutenant Colonel 40-1
Fancied for this race last year but blew his chance by failing to settle in first-time cheekpieces. Had also been beaten a long way in the Champion Hurdle of 2014, so there is now a suspicion that Cheltenham may not suit. Ran fairly well in a first-time tongue tie on his belated reappearance. Being rather overlooked as a dual Grade One winner on offer at 40-1.
Un Temps Pour Tout 40-1
Entitled to get involved in this on the pick of his hurdling form but beaten 11 lengths in this race last year. Seems an unlikely starter, having won a staying handicap chase here on Tuesday.
Knockara Beau 150-1
Proved dangerous to underestimate when scoring at 66-1 here in January 2014, with At Fishers Cross a close second. That was his most recent success, however, and it would be truly amazing if he could land this at the age of 13. Trailed Thistlecrack by 15 lengths when last seen.
