This is not a deep race and there is no need to overcomplicate it. Powerofjet is the one with the strongest recent chase profile and he sets the standard.He took well to fences earlier in the season, improving from his first run over them to win at Newcastle over 2m on good to soft. His…

The Champion Hurdle does not need dressing up. This year’s renewal looks deep, but the answer is still clear enough.The New Lion is the one to beat.There are solid cases for both Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, and between them they bring the strongest recent Grade 1 form. Lossiemouth is the proven class act, a dual Cheltenham…

This is not a race that needs overcomplicating. In a six-runner Class 4 staying handicap chase, the safest way in is to side with the horse who has already proved he can handle the track, the trip and the demands of a tactical small-field contest. That horse is Upfordebate.The Patrick Neville runner tops the HRB…

The Ultima is rarely about finding the flashiest horse in the field. It is about finding the one who is well enough treated, stays, jumps and handles the Festival heat. On the figures and the shape of this year’s race, Hyland looks the best fit.There is no knocking the class of Iroko. He is near…

This looks a modest maiden hurdle and the race revolves around Rebel Tribesman.The HRB figures make that plain enough. He is clear on the numbers with a 382 rating, well ahead of Liberty Coach on 243 and Matching Energy on 228. In a race where most of these have already had their chance to show…

The Fred Winter is rarely a race to overcomplicate, but it is a race where you have to separate flashy novice form from a horse actually set up for a 22-runner Festival handicap.The first thing to note is the profile of recent winners. This race has been kind to unexposed four-year-olds with a bit of…

This is not a deep novice handicap hurdle and there is no need to overcomplicate it. Shan’t Wait is the one with the strongest recent profile and he looks the most likely winner of the 2.18 at Sedgefield.Charlie Longsdon’s six-year-old has taken a step forward since a breathing operation. He finished second at Southwell and…

The 2.00 at Cheltenham is the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, and this year’s running looks a straight fight between two class acts: Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes.There are other good horses in the field, most notably Kargese, but this race should be decided by which of the front two handles the occasion best.…

This is not a deep race and there is no need to overcomplicate it. The one that makes most appeal is Cosmic Soul.Patrick Neville’s six-year-old does not top the HRB figures, but he is close enough on the numbers and looks to have the right profile for this contest. His HRB rating of 269 puts…

The opening race of the Festival rarely lacks pace, pressure or hype, and this year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle looks no different. The Irish have depth, class and numbers on their side, but the market has this right: Old Park Star is the horse they all have to beat.That does not mean he is a giveaway…