13:15 Friday

A horse that’s always been held in very high regard, GO DANTE (15/2) hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon him but there were signs in the Greatwood that he’s maturing. 

Running in one of the best handicaps of the season on seasonal reappearance and first time after a wind op was a tough task, but he shaped well to finish sixth in a race that is already working out well.

This race looks easier, and the slightly stiffer test of stamina looks likely to suit. He’s still fairly unexposed, and I’d be hopeful that he can win from his current mark of 125. 

14:25 Saturday

Interesting race planning from the Twiston-Davies team; BROADWAY BOY (4/1) could have feasibly run in the Kauto Star, but Cheltenham clearly suits him and this race is worth the same amount to the winner as the aforementioned Grade 1.

He’s taken incredibly well to chasing, beating a next time out winner on his debut over the larger obstacles before finishing a gallant second to two-time Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter (giving him five pounds). 

He confirmed that he was a horse on a steep upward curve when bolting up in a competitive listed in November in the manner of a relentless galloper. This won’t be easy, but he if he is to harbour Grade 1 dreams later in the season he will need to, at minimum, go very close here.

15:35 Saturday

A mare with a strong affinity with Cheltenham having won two bumpers here (including a listed race) and finishing second in another listed race, BONTTAY (7/2 NAP) still has a lot of untapped potential over hurdles.

She took time to warm to hurdling, but she closed out last season with an easy victory on her handicap debut and overcame adverse conditions to win on her seasonal reappearance; two-miles on good ground at Hereford would be far too sharp for her, and to win from off the pace was impressive. 

Fergal O’Brien implied that this race has been the target for some time, the stiffer test of stamina looks sure to suit and a mark of 123 should not prove beyond her.