As is always the case with ante-post betting in the build-up to the Cheltenham, there’s good and bad news mixed together, so let’s take a look at those offering up in this column during the course of the season and see where we stand.

Firstly, the Supreme Hurdle advice, GETAWAY TRUMP (price advised 33-1), failed in his bid to justify a rather audacious recommendation for the festival curtain raiser, as he could only manage fourth in the Betfair Hurdle at Ascot recently. Having shaped well over a trip that just stretched his stamina in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, the logical behind the plan was that if Paul Nicholls’ gelding was to be even more effective back over the minimum trip on his return to the Berkshire, then there could only be one option for him at Cheltenham in March. As it turned out, not only was the meeting called off, but the race at its new venue was run at a gallop that didn’t suit those held up off the speed and the son of Getaway ended up being one of the chief sufferers. Given that now favourite for the Supreme, Al Dancer, very much had the run of the race and seemingly holds an obvious chance in the two-mile Grade 1, it seemed a hasty decision to scratch Getaway Trump immediately after his defeat, but either way, the six-year-old remains a horse to keep on side wherever connections decide to take him next.

The Arkle looks even more wide open now with its latest victim, Le Richebourg, falling by the wayside, but sadly, as it seems, the chances of KALASHNIKOV (price advised 7-1) taking advantage of this scenario appears remote given his latest poor effort at Sandown. Strongly-fancied to reassert himself as a genuine contender for the big two-mile novice even on day one, Amy Murphy’s inmate got completely outpointed in every department by the hugely-impressive Glen Forsa and even withstanding that going right-handed may not have been ideal for the seven-year-old, it’s impossible to see him turning around the form with the winner. Indeed, connections may now decide to step him up in trip and go for the JLT, but which ever race they choose, he will need to buck his ideas up in a massive way if he’s to figure in either event.

As it’s turned out, SUMMERVILLE BOY (14-1) has to be one of the worst ante-post bets ever advised and the fact that he’s not even made the Festival after two inexplicably bad performances by last season’s Supreme winner, tells its own story.

Similar comments also apply to BLACK OP (16-1) who’s actually reverted back to hurdles following two indifferent efforts over fences, and he, too, remains a tricky one to assess on the back of a perplexing season so far to date.

Day two promises to be a good deal less shameful with the likes of BATTLEOVERDOYEN (6-1) and SAMS PROFILE (25-1) still on target for the Ballymore and BAND OF OUTLAWS (20-1) now a hot favourite to land the Fred Winter.

Confidence in the former doing the business, indeed, has grown in the build up to the event as his preparation appears to have gone smoothly and it would be a bitter disappointment if he wasn’t a massive player on the day.

Joseph O’Brien seems to have monopolised the juvenile scene this winter and Band Of Outlaws looks a worthy favourite for this tricky-to-solve handicap. With the weights due out this week, it will be interesting to see what mark the UK handicapper has given the son of Fast Company and unless he hands him a rating deemed too high by connections, he’s more than likely to take his chance.

Although a decision regarding MONALEE’s (10-1) participation in the Ryanair has yet to be made, it would seem likely that connections will do the sensible thing and shelve the idea of going for the Gold Cup. Impressive on his latest outing in the Red Mills Chase over 2m4f at Gowran, Henry De Bromhead’s gelding has always looked more comfortable racing over that sort of intermediate trip and the fact that he’d be a solid and worthy 4-1 favourite for the Ryanair and a 33-1 poke for the Gold Cup tells you all you need to know about his respective chances for each race.

Last of the ante-post advices comes in the shape of LISNAGAR OSCAR (9-1) and his prospects for Cheltenham glory were done no harm when Dickie Diver, runner-up up to him previously at Chepstow, bolted up back over the same track last Saturday. Impressive at Haydock last time out visually and on the clock, everything looks set fair for Rebecca Curtis’ inmate to be a big player in a race very few have as obvious credentials as he seemingly does.