With the Cheltenham Festival on the horizon, your normal day-to-day performances can be overshadowed with speculation mounting about certain horse's targets and punters deliberating where the remaining ante-post value exists.

The festival weights were released on Wednesday of last week and debate raged once again amongst Irish trainers who felt their charges had been assessed unfairly by the BHA handicappers.

The Irish horses will struggle to make an impact at championship level but it is their strong team of novices and some unexposed, improving handicappers where the winners are likely to be sourced.

The following are three Irish handicappers who can make their presence felt next week.

ALEXANDER SEVERUS:

Alexander Severus, a leading Irish hope for the Fred Winter has been allotted a rating of 134, 20lb higher than his Irish mark. A fast-finishing third on his latest start, his Irish rating of 114 would see him instated number 46 on the entry list; instead he is number 11, attractively weighted on 10-11 with the weights likely to rise 2lb, with Starluck unlikely to take-up his engagement in the juvenile handicap.

PERCE ROCK:

Elsewhere among the Irish handicap contingent, the Tommy Stack-trained Perce Rock should not be left go unsupported whichever option connections decide to target. Entered in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, the seven year-old has not raced over fences this season but has easily landed two conditions hurdles.

The winner of a graded novice chase last season and fourth in the 2006 Champion Bumper, his jumping did prove problematic last season but the son of Dansili is at his best when fresh and he will be an intriguing member of J P McManus's entourage heading to Prestbury Park. Could he be the plunge horse?

NINETIETH MINUTE:

Trained by Tom Taaffe, Ninetieth Minute is due to race off his Irish mark of 140. Entered in the Coral Cup and the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, he is well treated when one compares how the BHA handicapper has assessed his fellow Irish rivals. His Thurles victory was in a three runner tactical affair but the form has been franked by the exciting Solwhit. Although the Coral Cup distance of two-miles five-furlongs would stretch his stamina, he would be of real interest in the County Hurdle, should he remain below the 11-stone mark.

OTHERS TO FOLLOW:

MERITORIOUS:

Fourth behind the well-backed Serpentaria at Leopardstown on Sunday, Arthur Moore's charge travelled well on the heels of the leaders before a mistake at the second last hurdle put paid to his chances. Having indicated ability in maiden hurdles, it was good to see this effort and drying ground conditions should see Meritorious open his handicap account in the near future.

DAVIDS DAY:

Second behind Sportivo at Clonmel, Davids Day had been beaten out of sight on his three chase starts previous to Sunday but not without signifying he has the ability to win a handicap. This effort vindicated that belief and although he has not been the easiest horse to keep sound, he is worth noting.