The 524/1 ante-post treble made it all the way to the last leg in 2019, Band Of Outlaws (8/1) and Siruh Du Lac (9/1) both saluted but were then let down by Measureofmydreams (13/2) in the Kim Muir. Despite Measureofmydreams almost touching even money on the day of the race.

Pertemps Network Final – Skandiburg 12/1

Quite rightly everyone is building up Olly Murphy to be one of the star trainers at Cheltenham in upcoming years. He could easily bag a few winners this festival as I’ll be backing Itchy Feet and Brewin’upastorm, but Skandiburg is the horse which has made its way into my treble.

Skandiburg started the season beating Honest Vic at Market Rasen in October, Honest Vic has since gone on to beat Star Of Lanka on Boxing Day. Olly Murphy’s horse then won impressively at Aintree, this time fending of Diomede Des Mottes, who has actually been pretty disappointing since. However, it was the last run on New Year’s Day which really caught my eye.

Skandiburg was pushed along way out, and also appeared to run on the worst ground for pretty much the entire race. However, despite not running a great race, he stayed on to defeat Rapper, Kilbricken Storm and The Jam Man. The Jam Man has since run well in defeat in Ireland.

If Rapper gets into the race, then he’s a danger to overturn the run. Other dangers are likely to come in the shape of Sire Du Berlais and Treacyenniscorthy. 

Foxhunters Chase – Billaway 7/1

Billaway looks over-priced at 7/1 in the Foxhunters. Hazel Hill tops the market, but there has to be question marks over the jumping, despite winning this last season. Minella Rocco is the second-favourite, Jonjo O’Neil’s horse only just managed to beat Hazel Hill last time out, despite Hazel Hill jumping massively right at pretty much every jump.

Billaway has improved rapidly and showed that when flying away from the field at Naas in January. He beat Staker Wallace with ease on the occasion, and there’s nothing to suggest that Staker Wallace will reverse that form. Connections of the Mullins yard seem pretty keen on this horse, and so they should be given the competition for the Foxhunters this season.

The eight-year-old could improve even further, 7/1 looks a cracking bet.

Grand Annual – Greaneteen 7/1

Greaneteen won’t be a pick for many Cheltenham trends backers, but I’ve never really been interested in them. If you have enough statistics you can find a trend which will suit your selection.

Anyway, the Paul Nicholls horse has been unstoppable since chasing, and has improved with every run. His jumping was a bit off in the first-half of the race at Musselburgh, but he ended up winning by a good distance without really being tested.

There’s an argument he hasn’t really beaten a great deal in his first two outings this season, but then he’s also not really been tested.

He won a three runner race at Fakenham in February, again without really being tested. His jumping on that occasion was spot-on, you wouldn’t have guessed his inexperience. He beat Champagne Mystery on that occasion, who isn’t the worst type.

The Nicholls yard have high hopes for this horse, and he's still a 16/1 shot for the Arkle. Looking at the Grand Annual market, the main competition was likely to come from other Paul Nicholls runners but it’s doubtful they’ll line-up in this.

If any of these are to drop out of the race (Fitzhenry goes elsewhere) and you still wanted to back a treble, slip A Plus Tard in, I can’t see that losing the Ryanair.