12:25 Fairyhouse

Allaho showed he was made of strong stuff in the Albert Bartlett last season when coming third to current RSA Chase second favourite Minella Indo and found Henry De Bromhead’s charge too good again at Punchestown thereafter. He has had a long break sine and ran a good second on chase debut at the turn of the year. He is a horse who cannot be ignored for the novice chases if he puts in another strong performance.

12:55 Doncaster

Nicky Henderson will be extremely happy at the way Mister Fisher has taken to the larger obstacles this season who won impressively in strong company at Prestbury Park in December. If, as I expect him to, he can show more progression against the likes of Al Dancer and Lisp, he will prove a serious Arkle contender in March.

14:10 Fairyhouse

Already the 5/1 favourite for the Mares Novice Hurdle, Dolcita made quite the impression at Tramore when winning by 11 lengths on her first run for Willie Mullins. Interestingly, a win at Fairyhouse would mean the talented mare would have followed the exact same path as 2018 festival winner Laurina took that season.

14:10 Fairyhouse

Another Mullins horse in the race that really catches the eye is Colreevy. The seven-year-old is a three-time bumper winner and has continued that trajectory into hurdles this season, winning comfortably in a maiden last time out. With the Albert Bartlett looking the more likely route, she looks to be more of a stayer than her stablemate Dolcita.

15:35 Cheltenham

Six wins on the spin is likely to become seven for Emma Lavelle’s superstar hurdler as he looks to win the Cleeve for the second year running. The eight-year-old returned to the fold at Newbury in November beating the likes of Thistlecrack and will be all the better for that run. It will take a serious effort from somwhere to stop him winning the Stayers’ again this year.