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The friendliest preview evening on the circuit chaired by Chris Pitt that we report back from each year though this was my first visit back here in three years. The panel comprised of RacingUK presenter and pundit Lydia Hislop (LH) and Steve Mellish (SMel), The Daily Mail’s Sam Turner (ST) aka Robin Goodfellow, Channel 4 Racing’s Stewart Machin (SMac) and Andy Gibson (AG) who runs the racing-based website Patterns and Profiles.

SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

LH: Dunguib is too short so is my lay of the meeting so happy to take him on at the price. Get Me Out Of Here, Menorah and Peddlers Cross have already posted ratings good enough to place in a normal year so this is a strong running. Menorah got a bizarre ride when beaten at Ascot and I feel Get Me Out Of Here is a good price.

SMel: Dunguib is priced up as if he is already a champion which he isn’t as yet. Menorah and Get Me Out Of Here each-way appeal against him.

ST: They will have watered which will play to the strengths of Blackstairmountain who is fair each-way value. He had only schooled once before winning his only start at Punchestown so there is a lot more to come. I’d rather back Wolves to stay up at 4/6 than Dunguib at similar odds. There are much better 4/6 shots running during any week.

SMac: I am happy to let Dunguib win at that price. I would be interested in Peddlers Cross if he rocked up here and thought it was interested he was jocked up for this race and not the Neptune.

AG: Dunguib is one of the weaker odds-on shots of the meeting as all his form is on soft ground and all his hurdling form is in small fields.

ARKLE TROPHY

LH: Somersby is my banker of the meeting. This is the strongest I have felt about a horse at the Festival for a long time. It was a big positive for him to place in the Supreme and I don’t know how anyone can criticize the form of his Sandown win which was also run in a faster time than Twist Magic posted in the Tingle Creek on the same day. Captain Cee Bee’s overall profile is fragile and Sizing Europe is a coward. Kangaroo Court is the overpriced contender.

SMel: I’m a fully paid up member of the Somersby fan club. Riverside Theatre is a rock solid jumper and the main danger.

ST: There has been a lot of strength behind Somersby this week and has many factors in his favour. At a bigger price Shakervilz interests me as he is 2-2 over fences and has a similar chance to Captain Cee Bee on a line through Osana but is a 20/1 chance so he is each-way value.

SMac: Most Arkle winners have had a prep run which is against Somersby but I like him and his jumping at Sandown was fantastic. A degree of momentum gathered around Captain Cee Bee a few weeks back but I feel Somersby will take a heck of a lot of beating.

AG: The problem I have with Somersby is that he has only beaten six horses over fences and the way he runs suggests he wants further. I am on Shakervilz who is unbeaten over fences. Captain Cee Bee is the most likely winner. I know he is a 9yo but he had a season off. It could be an Irish 1-2-3 as Sizing Europe’s form has substance.

CHAMPION HURDLE

LH: I can’t have Binocular at all and too much momentum gathered around Medermit so he looks too short now and I can envisage him drifting. Zaynar and Khyber are s**t or bust horses that could win or be nowhere but I can’t get it out of my head how well Punjabi travelled in the Boylesports and, if forced, I would go with him. That said, I have been against Zaynar all year but he hasn’t had a strong gallop or cheekpieces fitted this season so could see it now.

SMel: I could see any of five or six winning and there is only 7lbs between the first nine in the betting. I have doubts about Go Native staying in a strongly run race and worries about Zaynar for the opposite reason and Medermit could hit a flat spot and is too short now. Celestial Halo boasts the single best piece of form this season when he won at Wincanton but I fully accept he bombed last time and I am hearing he has not worked well recently.

ST: Starluck will give you a run for your money but I am very much in the Go Native camp. The two trials he won were not the best ever but he won them well and goes well fresh so the break is a positive. He is a good back-to-lay bet in running.

SMac: You can’t back Binocular but maybe Celestial Halo could get a soft lead as I can’t see another front runner. I am not sure Go Native is good enough as he has little in hand over Medermit and Starluck when winning and this was never the plan for Medermit this season and he was going chasing. Punjabi is a player and Henderson was not at all discouraged by his two defeats. Khyber Kim is also a player if he can hold it all together. Punjabi and Khyber Kim against the field for me.

AG: I am quite strong on Go Native. If held onto longer I think he would have beaten Medermit further in the Supreme. The danger is the gap opening at the wrong time. Celestial Halo’s best form is off a break and he has run well at the last two Festivals and he could be an in-running play. The trip is too short for Zaynar on this ground but Punjabi is a spring horse and can reverse Haydock form with Medermit. Khyber Kim is 3-3 on soft ground.

NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE

LH: No strong view. I would prefer to see Peddlers Cross run here. I think Reve De Sivola is intrinsically a better horse than Finian’s Rainbow but he has no respect for his hurdles. I do like Summit Meeting and respect the trainer who is very selective who she brings to Cheltenham and he is bred to want this likely better ground. Of course I also respect Rite Of Passage.

SMel: Rite Of Passage murdered Donnas Palm on the Flat and I feel that he could be very good. Reve De Sivola never ran on the Flat so it is understandable why he keeps improving and, if he jumps like he can, he has the most ability of the British runners. Finian’s Rainbow didn’t like it when it was put up to him in the Challow when Reve de Sivola beat him and the winner is twice his price.

ST: The Irish could have a very big day on the Tuesday with such a strong looking team and if so they could steam right into Rite Of Passage here. Reve De Sivola e/w is my idea of the bet as although I know the Challow winner has a poor record here, that form is working out really well this season. He reminds me of past winners of this race in that he is a headbanger that just keeps on going.

SMac: Peddlers Cross is a live player if he runs here. Finian’s Rainbow was a moral winner of the Challow as the awful ground caught him out close home but stats are not in his favour as only one 7yo has won this race since it was first run in 1971.

AG: The problem I have with Reve De Sivola is that it took him six runs to get off the mark. I like Finian’s Rainbow most and reckon Quel Esprit is better than he looked last time but Peddlers Cross is not as good as he looked last time.

RSA CHASE

LH: Sam Waley-Cohen is a very good amateur but he is an amateur which is why I prefer Punchestowns. I have the feeling he has had foot problems all his life so not sure I would be concerned about Henderson’s recent comments as this was the first time he felt compelled to mention it with a big race approaching. I can’t knock Weird Al but he just lacks the X-Factor for me though you don’t need that for this race. Maybe Diamond Harry prefers flatter tracks.

SMel: I think Long Run is the most likely winner as after I saw him at Kempton I thought he was something very special but the price has gone now. I massively respect Punchestowns but the downhill fences do worry me. At the prices and on condition of NR No Bet as he is not a certain runner, I do see The Nightingale as a very good horse.

ST: Waley-Cohen is a very talented amateur so I am still with Long Run. I was so impressed with him at Kempton and the runner-up has franked the form twice. He came from Guillaume Macaire who schools them 4-5 times a week so I am not worried about his jumping. If The Nightingale runs I would also back him.

SMac: I don’t think Weird Al has the class to win it. Punchestowns is the proven Grade 1 horse, a bigger price that Long Run and a proven stayer.

AG: The one of the Henderson pair that jumps best on the day should win. Long Run is short enough with an amateur on. Diamond Harry does not appeal as a horse that wants a hill after 3m. I have had a small interest on Weird Al who has twice won at the track and is 3-3 for this season and if I like him then 33/1 Knockara Beau is too big.

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE

LH: No strong view but Master Minded was very convincing at Newbury except for the bizarre mistake at the final fence. This is a better race than last year though so he will have to put up a better performance than last year.

SMel: Master Minded is a better 4/5 shot than Dunguib. Twist Magic is more consistent this season and comfortably the main danger.

ST: The Nicholls yard felt Master Minded would improve for Newbury where he was tremendously impressive and his work with Kauto Star which has been exhilarating since apparently. The value has dried up about Kalahari King but he is the obvious e/w alternative.

SMac: Master Minded is officially 5lbs superior to Twist Magic and I can see Kalahari King picking up the pieces to finish second.

AG: Master Minded looks just about back to his best. The only danger is Kalahari King and this compact field will be more to his advantage than when beaten in a big field in the Arkle. Twist Magic has acquired his rating on soft ground on right-handed tracks in small fields when front running. The prelims could also hurt him. Big Zeb is too short for me so Forpadydeplasterer is the best of the Irish. I’ve backed Well Chief e/w without Master Minded as can see him ridden for a place as they know he can not win and he could nick fourth.

WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER

At this point leading owner John Hales who was in the audience informed us that earlier in the day they had booked Ruby Walsh for Al Ferof.

RYANAIR CHASE

LH: Poquelin’s chance is ground dependant as he would not want it soft. Barbers Shop has a strong chance at this trip. I feel Deep Purple is overpriced and maybe better going left-handed and he broke a blood vessel in the King George but prior to that he was on a sharp upward curve.

SMel: I am not a fan of this race and will be sitting it out with the cross country race. It’s like having a 150m race at the Olympics. On soft ground Tranquil Sea is a massive player but if it is nearer good then that will suit Poquelin.

ST: I’m very keen on Barbers Shop e/w as his strengths lay over this trip as his stamina has given way over further.

SMac: On good ground Poquelin, on soft ground Tranquil Sea. I do feel Voy Por Ustedes has got to a big price now.

AG: Tranquil Sea is a strong bet if it came up testing but on good ground it is worth a pop at a couple at big prices. I’m on Schindlers Hunt at a big price and Albertas Run is too big and is 2-3 at the track. It’s a possibility that Voy Por Ustedes has gone but I didn’t think he had much chance in any of the three races he has run in this season beforehand.

WORLD HURDLE

LH: Big Buck’s’ flat spot was longer last time maybe as the ground was very soft. He could be a deceptive traveller who is going better than he appears. He is the best staying hurdler I have seen. Time For Rupert is a definite place player and connections are pleased with Lie Forrit so if we can remove his last run he could sneak a place.

SMel: I would say Tidal Bay is a win bet rather than an each-way bet as he is Tidal Bay but I feel Karabak is the main danger to Big Buck’s.

ST: Big Buck’s will throw in the towel at some point. Tidal Bay has won 11 of his 23 starts so isn’t bad for a supposedly dodgy horse but the price is ebbing away.

SMac: Big Buck’s will hit a flat spot at some point and I think he might drop the lot so he is my lay of the meeting. Tidal Bay is a leading player and it is probably a relief to him he is back hurdling again and I still think he is too big a price. Alan King says that Katchit is working better now than he has done for two years.

AG: Big Buck’s obviously. Tidal Bay has never been out of the first two in nine starts over hurdles and I just prefer him to be second but the best bet is Time For Rupert at 10/1 without the favourite. He would be a shorter price if with a more fashionable yard.

TRIUMPH HURDLE

LH: I did take the view that Carlito Brigante was a doubtful stayer but am not so convinced about that now. I’m not convinced by Alaivan if it dries out and can see Westlin’ Winds running well.

SMel: I don’t like 9f/10f horses in juvenile hurdles so am worried about Carlito Brigante getting home and, of the two at the head of the market, Alaivan is the stronger stayer and ticks a lot of boxes and is the class act in the race. He is unproven on quicker ground but may handle it.

ST: O’Grady says Alaivan is coming right at the right time and I believe it is between him and Carlito Brigante with the latter better e/w value. I am told Soldatino frets a lot so maybe it would best to see how he handles the prelims first.

SMac: The British hand looks weak and I don’t fancy Advisor at all. Soldatino could be our best and he had only been with Henderson for six weeks before he won the Adonis so there could be stacks of improvement to come. Soldatino if pressed.

AG: I prefer Carlito Brigante to Alaivan and Secant Star of the top three in the betting with Westlin’ Winds the best at double figure prices.

ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE

LH: I am fond of Restless Harry who I think is a thorough stayer but I am worried he doesn’t jump straight. I am slightly interested in The Hurl at this trip at a big price and also Shinrock Paddy.

SMel: Silver Kate has shown improved form but the ground is a worry. I am against The Betchworth Kid who I am not sure will stay or try very hard.

ST: Shinrock Paddy will be better on better ground and upped to 3m so is a player. Tell Massini looks a real street fighter and I like him.

SMac: I think they know what they have had for a long time with Tell Massini and I’m told he’s working very well at home by people who should know so he can take a lot of beating.

AG: Who knows which of the four at the head of the market will improve most for better ground as all their form is on a soft surface. Tell Massini and Restless Harry like to front run which makes me slightly prefer the Irish pair of Enterprise Park and Shinrock Paddy more but I can also see this falling to a big priced winner.

GOLD CUP

LH: Kauto Star has put up 17 straight 170+ performances and although Kempton suits him best he is still clear of his rivals on Cheltenham runs. I think Denman may have one big run him a season now and he looks to have had it in the Hennessy so Imperial Commander is the danger with Tricky Trickster the least exposed runner so is more interesting than most.

SMel: Kauto Star’s King George performance was the best I have ever seen and keeps proving his critics wrong. I think he will win but I can not get my head around the without-favourite markets as a lot depends on how the race will be run. I think Denman could drift to as big as 6/1 but I really hope he runs a race.

ST: I am told Kauto Star is working better than he has ever worked. Tricky Trickster without the favourite for me is a bet and he is reportedly improving week on week. Even 20/1 in the outright market is a big price.

SMac: Kauto Star is the most obvious winner and Imperial Commander is the second best chaser I have seen this year and think his Haydock run has been too easily dismissed.

AG: Denman was too short at 7/2 after unseating McCoy last time and is now drifting to the price he should be. In a book with Kauto Star I think Denman is a weak favourite and think it is worth supporting both Imperial Commander and Cooldine in that market and lay Denman for a place. Betting without the front two I quite like My Will e/w at 40/1 as he could sneak into fifth paying 10/1 a place.

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