Live Racing Blog | Latest news, tips and chat from Cheltenham Trials Day

• Paisley Park denies Champ to win third Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham
• Chantry House gives JP McManus 4000th winner in Paddy Power Cotswold Chase
• Pied Piper impresses in JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (The Finesse)
• Windsor Avenue denies Storm Control in thrilling Sky Bet Chase
• Value Bet tip North Lodge first past the post in Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
• Third Time Lucki suffers overreach in winning Lightning Novices' Chase
• Allegorie De Vassy heads ante-post lists after comfortable win in Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle

All times BST, please refresh for updates

1625: Stanley catches up with the winning trainer:

"She's decent, at home she would be okay but she's a racehorse isn't she? They've got to do it here, they don't get any prize money at home.

"She was impressive, she can only win. The obvious race we were working back from is the Aintree bumper but we might look at the Cheltenham race with all the allowances. I'll talk to the owner."

That is that for the day as far as the blog goes but Kempton continues into the evening if you're hungry for more.

What a day it has been.

We've seen some very, very good performances but there's no doubt that Paisley Park's third Cleeve Hurdle success deserves to take the headlines.

It's brilliant to see the old campaigners turning out year after year and to win a race like that after whirling around at the start and with his best days seemingly a long way behind him was quite wonderful.

There was a lot more to savour besides and it seems a long time ago now that Pied Piper was sauntering past the winning line.

I'm off to lend a hand and to catch up with some of those replays (free on Sporting Life) and the big reaction.

See you anon.

1613: O'Brien may have a decent record in bumpers but so too does Mullins and his representative, Nos Na Gaoithe, has taken over at the head of the market.

Dixon has nominated Mullenbeg as one he liked in the paddock (as well as form) but he is concerned as to whether she is a Cheltenham filly. He wants to see her settle but believes she can take a hand in the finish if she does.

I wouldn't say that Nos Na Gaoithe has been backed off the boards for all that she has been cut. I'd be happy enough to try and take her on, perhaps just with Hidden Beauty - 3/1 each-way anyone?

They're racing two by two (almost) in the early stages. The pace appears to have slowed significantly after early positions were attained. Hidden Beauty has Mullenbeg and one other behind. Nos Na is on the outside and in seventh as they head out into the country.

The commentator believes she's racing keenly and perhaps that's why she's been taken a little wider than her peers.

They are at the top of the hill where Hidden Beauty has been pulled up, something must have gone amiss. The remainder are covered by a few lengths but Mullenbeg leads. The favourite is last.

Mullenbeg has quickened in good style and wins well.

Victory for Milton Harris and Mitchell Bastyan with an 8/1 chance who produced a very likeable performance. Obviously the front two in the market ran no race at all but she can't be faulted for that and did everything very easily.

Dixon is suitably impressed and suitably pleased. He would like to see her return to Cheltenham for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and the more we get in the mix for that race the better.

1557: That concludes the pick of the action although we still have the Listed Alan Swinbank Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race to come and I'll hang around for that.

Eileendover won the race last year to much excitement and Pam Sly is again represented but this year's runner, Chic Avenue, is out at 40/1 (as opposed to being the 11/8 favourite).

This year's favourite is Hidden Beauty although she could be challenged by Nos Na Gaoithe whose trainer, Willie Mullins, won the 2020 renewal with Panic Attack.

Donald McCain has had a couple of winners at Uttoxeter and his runner in the preceding Cheltenham race ran well enough. He was surprised by Nell's Bells at Carlisle which could bode well for her chance, possibly.

O'Brien has enjoyed a decent season as we know and has had a decent record in course bumpers for a few years now. I was just checking his record in this campaign and he's had three winners from seven runners with a second and a third.

A big run from Hidden Beauty seems assured.

Confirmation that the result from the previous Cheltenham race stands.

1541: The low sun is shining brightly and the hurdles in the home straight are being dolled off. That's going to leave them with a long, long run-in and change the complexion of the race.

People keep telling me we need some rain. I'm not sure I agree.

We're still waiting for the hurdles to be dolled off I think. I'm not quite sure what the delay is (as the clock ticks round to 1545) but we shouldn't be long.

Harper's Brook is the first to show from Hillcrest in second. They've galloped past those dolled off hurdles in the straight and are back on the far side where there's drama at the first as Harper's Brook takes a crashing fall and hampers Hillcrest causing him to unseat. Richard Patrick had no chance. I think the commentator said that all concerned were up on their feet okay.

That opens up this race and leaves Daly with a problem. They're at the top of the hill with the unbeaten A Different Kind leading Balco Coastal and North Lodge with Picanha also close up.

They've jumped the last and have half a mile to run. There's a thrilling finish with North Lodge and Balco Coastal slugging it out up the hill.

North Lodge wins although everyone seems to think there will be an enquiry.

Returned at 7/1, he was put up at 5/1 by Value Bet who gains a measure of compensation for the Sky Bet Chase.

Winning jockey Adrian Heskin declared himself 'really quite taken' with North Lodge.

A stewards' has been called but he won by far enough to keep the race I think.

1535: Sometimes you can get everything right and still be wrong.

"I ultimately whittled my shortlist down to Windsor Avenue and Hill Sixteen," wrote Matt Brocklebank in his Value Bet column.

Hopefully he put one or two of you onto Windsor Avenue. Be kind and tweet him a thank you if so.

The field are on their way to post for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and there's been a marked change in the market since I last checked in. Hillcrest is now 5/6 with Balco Coastal out to 7/2.

I'd enjoy seeing Henry Daly with a genuine Festival contender, or a very smart horse at least, and it would be grand if it were this late-maturing giant. We're at post time.

1521: Coming in for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

Nuts Well seems to have arrived late at the start and his tack is just being checked over and tightened.

Walking in. Cloudy Glen keen to get on with it and giving Charlie Deutsch trouble. False start. The starter wants them to go a fair way back from the tape, Deutsch didn't want to and you could see the starter pointing the way to go in no uncertain terms. Deutsch duly asked his mount to take a turn.

They get away in a good line at the second time. They've bypassed the open ditch which would have been the second, I don't know why I'm afraid. Cloudy Glen has narrowly taken over as they move into the home straight for the first time. Windsor Avenue is on his inside with Storm Control, Fusil Raffles and Midnight Shadow all up there. Demachine isn't far back on the inside.

Rocci is detached and Janika is last of the main group and didn't appear to be going well.

Awful news. Midnight Shadow has broken down badly. That's very, very sad to see. It's hard to get excited about this race after that.

They are past halfway though, the field are quite well strung out. It's going to be a long way home. Windsor Avenue currently leads from Storm Control. Cloudy Glen makes a mistake, Fusil Raffles asked for an effort, Demachine into third. Storm Control goes on at the third last and there's daylight back to the third.

He idles after the last though and is picked up by Windsor Avenue in a dramatic finish, heartbreak for Kerry Lee and his young jockey but delight for Sean Quinlan (who has completed a big race double) and Brian Ellison (who struck with Cormier at Cheltenham. He was returned at 40/1.

Cap Du Nord was third and Hill Sixteen fourth.

1515: Paisley Park traded at 1000/1 for £33 (presumably on Betfair Exchange) Ed Chamberlin reveals.

"He has that in him, he's nearly done it a couple of times," a breathless Aidan Coleman tells Alice Plunkett on ITV Racing.

"This is really special. The longevity of this horse is a testament to his ability and his character.

"'You got me into this mess, you sort it out' I said to him.

"He's just different around this track.

"This is very special."

Where does that leave Champ? Everything appeared to be going to plan and I still expected him to see off Paisley Park up the hill. The winner is going to get some reception when he walks into the winner's enclosure, he's a hugely popular horse.

"Every vantage point has been taken," says Hislop. "Paisley Park gets one hell of a reception."

Extraordinary stuff. That should warm the cockles.

Paisley Park is between 11/2 and 8s (from 25s) for the Stayers' Hurdle.

Flooring Porter has been cut at the top of the market with Champ at 6/1 as things stand.

1502: I think it's hard to see Champ losing this.

He's against a doubtful stayer (whose yard has had a bad day) and a couple of fading lights. He was very impressive at Ascot and is a horse that has always been held in the highest regard, hence his name.

He is the favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle and should cement that status.

In fairly quick time after this, it will be time for the Sky Bet Chase where Fusil Raffles is the current market leader.

Attention for the time being is firmly on the Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle and Paisley Park has whipped around at the start and has set off about 10-15 lengths adrift. That's not ideal for Paisley or the race as a spectacle. Shame.

The gallop being set by Lisnagar Oscar and Dandy Mag allows him to make up the ground with relative ease though and he's latched on to the quarters of McFabulous and Champ. They've cleared six flights and are in the home straight, there's been little drama since the start.

There are three to jump but a fair bit of racing in front of them. Champ is into second. Paisley Park bumped along at the top of the hill for a stride or two. All close up.

McFabulous goes well but will he last home. Paisley Park left behind in fourth. Champ under pressure. Here's Paisley......

Would you believe it? It's Champ and Paisley, Paisley and Champ.

Paisley Park wins, he's still unbeaten in the Cleeve Hurdle and wins it for the third time.

Wonderful scenes.

1455: De Boinville also seemed fairly muted when talking to Oli Bell about Chantry House.

"He's done it well in the end. I thought that ground was very dead and tacky.

"Let's get him back and see how he is tomorrow. He'll definitely come on for that run anyway."

More from the jockey courtesy of Racing TV.

"It was just a case of keeping him interested and rolling forward, he's an out and out stayer now. I didn't want him going to sleep (which is why I kept him on the outside).

"Through those novice chases last year he always seemed to be doing his best work at the end and as the ground gets a bit quicker I think we'll see more and more improvement.

"They (cheekpieces) definitely helped us today and he'll definitely come on for this run. I think there was a bit of ring rust there as well as we pulled him up fairly early in the King George."

De Boinville isn't on Champ but he is trained by Henderson and owned by McManus and is 8/15 for the Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle.

1442: More on that over the next couple of hours but action comes thick and fast on a Saturday and My Bobby Dazzler is favourite for the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle.

It's not the strongest race for a Grade Two and the jolly rank okay in a Cheltenham handicap last time.

I prefer the claims of Wincanton winner Unanswered Prayers while Linfoot put up Mahler Mission in his ITV Racing Tips preview.

Henderson chooses his words carefully in talking about Chantry House.

"The big question was whether to put them (cheekpieces) on today or keep them for March. He had to win today to stay in the ballgame and therefore it made sense today.

"Santini always sets a good gallop and they had to work hard. He got tired but then he was entitled to. If he hadn't won today you'd have to say he's got no business running in the Gold Cup.

"I think that's wonderful (training JP McManus' 4,000th winner), nothing gives me more pleasure than doing that and it's lovely that it's Cheltenham in a proper race. Well done JP. He's been an amazing friend and supporter."

Meanwhile at Doncaster........

My Bobby Dazzler leads on the turn for home from Mahler Mission.

Mahler Mission has the rail at the second last and The Real Whacker for company. He went two up but The Real Whacker rallied before hanging left allowing Mahler Mission to extend his advantage and win at 11/2.

The boy Linfoot is having a good day.

1427: Neesom thinks Santini still needs the run and some disappointing performances from some of the Nicholls runners this afternoon has seen his confidence wane in Simply The Betts (who he thought he would win if he stayed).

Iceo, Magic Saint and Miranda have all run below his expectations so far. Would that put you off?

Therein lies some of the problem in opposing Chantry House in that there is a lack of opposition although Neesom describes Aye Right 'as proper opposition' and retains some hope in Simply The Betts. He has not 'fully bought into him' (Chantry House).

This is all about the favourite. Can he bounce back? We're about to find out.

Santini is a narrow leader from Chantry House and Aye Right over the second. Chantry House is a little awkward over the water. Aye Right has jumped into a share of the lead at the fifth.

I don't like the way Chantry House is travelling. They've jumped nine and he's back on the outside and in a share of third and seemingly going okay but he wasn't very good at the tenth and looks to be racing on and off the bit. He put in a good leap at the eleventh and perhaps just needs help in keeping focused. We've all been there.

Aye Right leads over the water for the second time and Chantry House is ridden into the following ditch but made a mistake and then looked to reach for the plain fence that followed. He's still very much on the premises as they take the fence at the top of the hill. Santini is back in front.

Simply The Betts struggling at four out and going nowhere.

Three together at the third last, Chantry House pushed along in third and not as good over the fences as his rivals but he is closing on Aye Right.

Chantry House leads to the last, a 4000th winner for JP McManus. He didn't appear to do a lot on the hill either, with Santini getting to within about two and a half lengths, although the 5/6 favourite did keep on.

Nico de Boinville has jumped off the winner after the line and is going to walk him in. Hopefully there's nothing (seriously) amiss.

"He's got about as much chance of winning a Gold Cup as I have," says Neesom.

"14/1?!? What are they watching??

"If there's a horse in this race who is going to run well in the Gold Cup then it's Santini as he will come on again for the run and they've got the option of putting headgear back on him."

The winning time was 6.33.81.

1420: Can Chantry House do the business in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase and how impressive will he have to be to mark himself down as a real contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

A doubtful stayer is the second favourite at 9/2 in Simply The Betts, half a point shorter than the admirable Aye Right.

The favourite was well supported ahead of the King George but never went a yard. They did go a strong gallop at Kempton and he will have more time to get into a rhythm this afternoon.

Santini was a one-time Gold Cup hope and it would be huge for Polly Gundry if he were to run a big race this afternoon. He's reported to have come on a good deal since making his debut for the stable.

The jockeys are in the saddle and on their way to post.

1418: All the reports, reaction and free replays can be found on the news pages of the site but here are a few words from Dan Skelton following Third Time Lucki's win at Doncaster.

“He just had a little bit of an overreach which I need to keep an eye on. It’s nothing bad, just a little one, but we’ll just see how that is.

“I don’t know if it will keep him out of Cheltenham, it’s nothing bad.

“If he goes to Cheltenham, great. If he has to miss Cheltenham because of the overreach and wait for Aintree than that is fine as well. He’s just magic and we’re delighted to have him.”

1409: There's a clip above of the closing stages of the Lightning Novices' Chase.

Third Time Lucki's odds were trimmed for the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy after running out a wide margin winner.

Bryony Frost has been speaking about Miranda ahead of the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle.

"You don't know what happened at the start (at Ludlow), she's never shown any inkling at home. Hopefully it (the start) is all smooth.

"Good ground over a flat two miles here is something to think about but it's a long straight and I can turn the taps on early."

Miranda races in second in a race which was won by Annie Power in 2014.

Western Victory takes them along with three flights left to jump. Frost moves Miranda towards the stands' side rail. She is tracked by Miss Heritage (10/1) who jumps into the lead at the second last.

Lucy Wadham's mare dots up under Sean Quinlan who was replacing Frost in the saddle - a bitter sweet result for the jockey of the beaten favourite as she has formed a good partnership with Wadham through the season.

1358: Coole Cody is taking them along which will come as no surprise.

Eden du Houx and Torn and Frayed are in close proximity with Galahad Quest poking his head between the pair.

Coole Cody appears to be gradually turning up the heat and one or two have cried enough or come under pressure. Three out.

Gaelik Coast moves up going well, how much will he find? Galahad Quest takes over but is immediately joined by Torn And Frayed who goes two up approaching the last.

He wins by half a dozen lengths from Galahad Quest and Spiritofthegames. The SP was 5/1.

That winner was advised at 8/1 by Linfoot in his ITV Racing Tips preview - there are still two more selections to run.

Winning jockey Sam Twiston-Davies tells ITV Racing: "He was rubbish at Haydock, heavy ground, everything went wrong, so I pulled him up quite quick.

"I was stuffed down the inside and he wasn't seeing a lot. His jumping has always been good and when he got to the front he pricked his ears.

"He's not brilliant at social media, speaking or being nice to anybody but he's a very good trainer."

The full interview is above.

1350: Neesom and Stanley declare that they have both given up on Galahad Quest but he is one of three co-favourites in a fluctuating market.

I just about thought that I could be persuaded to give him one more chance.

I'd given up on Spiritofthegames following some fairly abject efforts but he's 15/2, only a couple of points longer than the market leaders. Coole Cody is among them and should enjoy the unseasonably quick ground. I think I'd quite enjoy seeing him win and enjoy another day in the sun.

Magic Saint ran a blinder the last day but I'm still not convinced about this trip for him.

Eden Du Houx runs for Value Bet and is a 10/1 chance as they circle at the start.

1339: The Solerina Mares Hurdle is up next from Fairyhouse with Brandy Love the favourite.

She is going to try and make every yard a winning one under Paul Townend, who faced a difficult choice about which mare to ride. She's five clear and appears to be setting a true test.

She's jumped out to her left on occasion but is seven clear with two to jump, Allegorie de Vassy is in second as she has been throughout. She goes a long way left at the second last and makes a mistake, Grangee fell at the same flight.

She did rally but her antics handed the advantage to Allegorie de Vassy and she didn't need another invitation.

She was returned the 7/4 joint-favourite under Sean O'Keeffe.

Not all is lost for Brandy Love but that was an odd performance.

I opted to forego watching the Lightning Novices' Chase from Doncaster in order to stay with Fairyhouse but Third Time Lucki duly won by 30 lengths at 8/15. Presumably it is all systems go for the Sporting Life Arkle.

Allegorie de Vassy is 5/2 with BetVictor for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham where coverage returns for the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase.

1333: That winner will have been loudly cheered by Members Extra followers having been advised this morning by Ben Linfoot. Happy days.

Stanley has caught up with Brennan on his way back t0 the weighing room.

"Every day I ride him he gives me a feel of a really special horse. He's had minor issues but on his day he covers his ground like a good horse.

"I had plenty of horse (under me at the last).

"On a personal note, it's brilliant to ride Fergal his hundredth winner. I wouldn't be riding if it wasn't for him. He's a boss but he's a special friend as well."

Mellish was very impressed with Imperial Alcazar proving himself on this ground and over this trip and he described him as looking like a proper graded horse today.

1321: Officials were just looking at the wings of one of the fences there.....the sun is shining. Hopefully there's not a problem.

The flag is being whipped by the wind before being lowered. They're off. Java Point and Beakstown lead. When You're Ready is last and could prove to be well named as he's a little detached at present.

They've jumped six and it's so far so good. There are 17 in total to take and they've negotiated seven. When You're Ready has been pulled up. The water is the ninth and Oscar Elite takes it in last and gets a slap down the neck after the tenth.

Beakstown still leads from Imperial Alcazar and Java Point. Oscar Elite has responded. Solo adrift. Two out. Your Darling finds nothing. Imperial Alcazar and Beakstown fighting back. Imperial Alcazar lengthens clear to the last and takes it brilliantly.

What price for the Ultima? I don't think he can go up a hideous amount for that with plenty of doubts about the form.

The 9/1 chance was O'Brien's one hundredth winner of the season.

Here is the trainer: "We've always thought the world of him and Paddy (Brennan) gave him a lovely ride, it's all worked out well.

"He weakened a little bit at Chepstow but it was good that he got it done today. He jumped well today. He learned a lot at Newbury and learned a lot at Chepstow and it was good that he was able to do it today.

"I'm very grateful to the owners, they've been very loyal supporters to me."

There was more on the usual thanks and plaudits as well as a hello to his daughter at home.

1315: Your Darling is now favourite at Cheltenham.

He may have paid the price for helping to set too strong a pace when collared close home at Kempton and, like several of these, remains open to improvement.

Dixon describes him 'as a fine looking horse, a proper chaser on appearance'. Obviously you like to see money for a horse you fancy but I'm not sure that the 9/2 makes much appeal in a race as competitive as this.

Oscar Elite's chasing career hasn't gone to plan yet but he is also 9/2 now. He could turn out to be well handicapped but I think he's still got to prove that he can cut it in this discipline and he may prefer further as may Imperial Alcazar.

It's a very interesting race and one to which I don't have an answer at the current prices. I could almost persuade myself to chance Imperial Alcazar at 8/1; he was only 11/2 to win the Pertemps Final in March and is now 3lbs lower. Hmm.

1303: I've just switched channels to Doncaster and Tide Times has made an early mistake and was switched by his jockey to get a bit of daylight. They've still got over a circuit to cover.

Up next from Cheltenham is the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase where all eight declared runners are set to face the starter.

It's an interesting handicap with Imperial Alcazar and Oscar Elite seeking their first wins over fences but both have something to prove against some progressive rivals who haven't made quite as many headlines.

There was some drama in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap Chase with Wigglesworth unseating his rider ahead of the first fence in the home straight. All a little unusual but there was nothing unusual about the finish as Hard To Forget (9/1) took the spoils for James Davies and Henry Oliver.

Apparently there is a very strong headwind in the home straight with Richie McLernon saying you have to put your head down as you turn in.

1257: One of the lesser races on Doncaster's card is off in a few minutes while at Uttoxeter there have been winners for McCain and Dai Burchell and Michael Wigham and Hollie Doyle have successfully combined at Lingfield.

Stanley has grabbed a word with Russell on his way to weigh in.

"He's a grand horse, he's improved plenty and we always thought he'd improve from Punchestown. The ground is on the slow side, it's lovely ground, it wasn't an issue.

"Not really (surprised at how well he travelled into it), he's a nice horse.

"I really don't know what Gordon has in mind for him, there's loads of options.

"He was immature the last day and he made a slight mistake out the back but he figured it out very quickly so he's quite intelligent you know."

The 4/1 initially quoted about Pied Piper didn't last long and he's now 9/4 and 5/2.

1246: The early leader is Boulette.

Iceo is refusing to settle. He's under a tight hold in a share of fourth on the inside but is racing much more kindly by the time they hurdle the second. He's in third by the time they turn into the far side and still looks as though he wants to go faster.

Interne De Sivola jumps alongside Boulette and is putting some more pace to the race with Chester Williams another who wasn't happy with the early gallop. Forever William is being driven furiously but still has Pied Piper behind him.

Boulette has gone on again and is two clear from Interne who is three or four clear from the remainder. They are bunching up at two out where Interne has lost his place quickly having appeared to be going quite well. Pied Piper is cruising.

He's going to dot up. Davy Russell never asked him a question, never shook the reins at him. They won by about 10 lengths.

Moka De Vassy edged out Forever William for second.

The winner was returned as the 11/8 favourite.

Iceo and Interne De Sivola were hugely disappointing. Dixon says the time was, unofficially, a little slower than the opening handicap hurdle over the same trip.

Pied Piper is 4/1 second favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with both Paddy Power and BetVictor.

The favourite, Fil d'Or, represents the same connections.

1238: The JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) is one of the more interesting races of the day.

An interview with Burke (who rode the first winner) has just aired with the jockey describing the ground as 'a mixture of good and good to soft, probably overall on the slower side' and he agreed with Stanley's assessment that it is 'winter good ground rather than spring good ground'.

Burke is also looking forward to riding Java Point later on the card.

Back to the race in hand though and all the money is for Elliott's Pied Piper.

Neesom is another who believes that Iceo heads the form standard and this race looks to have plenty of depth with course winner Interne De Sivola third in the market at 5/1.

Milton Harris is bullish about the claims of Silver Shade (who can be backed at 28/1) while I thought Moulins Clermont was an interesting outsider having put a disappointing debut for Gary Moore behind him.

It means less than nothing but the Fontwell race in which Moulins Clermont first appeared had been won by stablemates Nassalam and Goshen in the two previous seasons. I wonder if he will turn out to be a Fred Winter horse?

There should be plenty to note here, from the beaten horses as well as the principals. We're almost ready.

1224: They are at the post for the opener from Doncaster on Sky Bet Chase day.

It is fairly windy there apparently but the sun is bathed in winter sunshine and looks very pleasant.

Inishbiggle is the market leader at 4/1.

Jay Jay Reilly leads them into the straight with Gala De Corton struggling at the third last.

Three jump the second last more or less together but Jay Jay Reilly is a couple clear at the last and quickens clear in good style.

A winner for Dan and Harry Skelton and a wide margin one with the six-year-old scoring at 6/1 on his handicap debut.

It will be interesting to see how far the winner can progress up the handicap ranks as this race looked competitive on paper (one or two didn't perform).

Tony Martin has been enjoying a decent winter and he's combined with Bryan Cooper to win the second at Fairyhouse with Sil Ver Klass.

1215: The flag has been raised.

The saddle has slipped on favourite Lively Citizen and Archie Bellamy is struggling to stay on board. He has pulled him up.

Geromino is making the running from The Widdow Maker. Three of the eight flights left to jump. Kihavah appears to be going quite well in rear as they race to the second last but that could be applied to a few others.

Cormier moves into a challenging position and there are seven or eight in contention.

Cormier has a good battle with Severance and Hystery Bere up the straight with the former getting on top.

He was returned the 9/2 joint-favourite for Jonathan Burke and Brian Ellison and the locally based owner Dan Gilbert.

That was a cracking start to the day and should get the blood flowing nicely through the veins.

There was a little 14/1 available about Cormier not long after declarations on Thursday - congratulations if you snapped up some of those prices.

1209: Martin Dixon is with Stanley in the paddock at Cheltenham and Lively Citizen, who is getting a little bit 'het-up and warm', is the first under the microscope.

In contrast Byzantine Empire is relaxed and 'one of the picks in the paddock' but he is in a stronger contest.

The track is a question mark for Cormier but he's back on a decent mark and has form in better races than this. He has attracted some money since the first show after declarations.

That was a bit of a run through from the pair with no firm conclusions drawn.

Neither Neesom nor Hislop remember Lively Citizen getting warm in the paddock when seeing him before which has to be a cause for concern.

Neesom says 'even without the sweating there are one or two others I prefer'; as we heard earlier, Hystery Bere is one of them. Kihavah gets a late mention as another.

1200: They're running at Fairyhouse.

I liked Everglow when he was with Philip Hobbs and he's continued to perform creditably since joining Noel Meade. There was a little money for him ahead of this race but I can't quite see where the improvement will come from, I thought he was more of a handicap project.

He's certainly picking up some valuable experience which will stand him in good stead when he does make the switch but I'm starting to think he doesn't have quite as much latent talent as I'd thought.

He races in the first half of midfield as Frontal Assault, Egality Mans and Grand Paradis lead the field at halfway.

Floueur wins at 7/1, leading home a 1,2,3 for Elliott, despite jumping the last 'like a bag of hammers'.

1155: Bookies' representative Sam Boswell is running through his firm's market movers and they are as follows:

At Cheltenham: Java Point (9/2 from 8s) and Hillcrest (11/10 from 7/4)

At Fairyhouse: Brandy Love (6/4 from 2s) and Lord Lariat (2/1 from 3s).

Coverage is at Fairyhouse where Willie Mullins trained runners dominate the betting with Egality Mans and Bacardys the first two in the market for the beginners' chase.

Mullins is mob-handed in the feature Solerina Mares' Hurdle (1340) with half of the field representing him in the Grade Three and they're all good ones with Brandy Love joined by Grangee, Allegorie De Vassy and Braganza.

The race will have an impact on the ante-post market for the mares' novices' hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

1148: Steve Mellish has been asked if he has 'a dead cert' but he hasn't.

He does agree with Dave Nevison though and puts up Iceo in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Finesse) instead.

Both expected Iceo to be favourite and believe that if Paul Nicholls houses a contender for the Triumph Hurdle then this is it.

There has been good support for Gordon Elliott's Pied Piper (which is why he isn't favourite) and the Irish handler expects his charge to improve from his winning debut.

This is what Betfair ambassador Nicholls had to say in his column:

"He was highly impressive carrying a penalty on his debut for us on soft ground at Kempton where despite being keen early on he galloped all the way to the line and recorded a fast time. The ground will be much quicker on Saturday and he has to do it again on a completely different track. Iceo is in great shape, schooled well in midweek and is obviously smart. This race should tell us whether he goes for the Triumph Hurdle."

1141: I missed most of Gary O'Brien and Lisa O'Neill's preview of Fairyhouse but I did catch Tom Stanley's interview with Donald McCain.

"Everyone is working their socks off, I can't tell you how hard they're grafting, but when things are going well it's worth it.

"It's northern form as well but we (A Different Kind) beat the favourite for the Lanzarote giving him weight at Haydock. He's a smashing little horse.

"I was going to go to Musselburgh but we thought we'd come here and work out what trip he wants. He's not been beaten, he's done his job well, we're very much learning where we are.

"She (Nell's Bells) surprised me a bit. I thought she'd run well but didn't expect her to win the way she did, she was impressive.

"They're two grand horses (Geromino and Gaelik Coast), they are good ground horses which is why we've chanced it but neither are well handicapped which is not the way to come to Cheltenham.

"We've got some lovely novices, obviously Richmond Lake, and this little lad who has done nothing wrong."

1130: Racing TV's preview show is on air and Dave Nevison has suggested it would be 'hilarious if Santini beats' Chantry House.

You can see where he's coming from.

Not surprisingly people are keen enough to take on Chantry House in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase but he remains the clear favourite at 10/11.

Lydia Hislop and Jonathan Neesom are racing through the card and have just alighted on the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase where the latter says 'I found it difficult to fancy any of them'.

He's alighted on Spiritofthegames who is so well handicapped he's hard to ignore.

I'm of a similar view (in not liking any of them) but I fancied both the now absent Farinet and Galahad Quest in the big handicap on New Year's Day and came to the conclusion that I ought to keep faith with the latter in what is probably a slightly less competitive race.

Neesom is concluding the opening section by mentioning a couple of handicap fancies on the card.

He likes Hystery Bere in the opener ('at double figure prices') and he's also keen on the claims of Your Darling who he believes paid the price for going too quickly at Kempton last time (as opposed to being a weak finisher which some have opined).

1118: More sensible opinions can be found elsewhere of course, including on the video above where Ben Linfoot is joined by Daryl Jacob and Kieran Clark.

I came close to adding Unanswered Prayers to the list below - he runs in the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle - as I was taken with his Wincanton defeat of Flemenstide and may yet be tempted.

This doesn't look to be the strongest renewal of this Grade Two.

I'm very much a fan of Stuart Edmunds' abilities as a trainer and I'm hoping he has a decent day at Uttoxeter.

Arizona Cardinal is a short price having flopped last time but he did show plenty of promise at Warwick prior to that.

Here Comes Henry won well last time and looks progressive while Young Offender should also be in the mix if putting his best foot forwards.

A couple of those face well-backed runners from Olly Murphy's stable (amongst others) and could have their work cut out.

Not too many glances will be cast at Uttoxeter this afternoon but they're staging a decent card and I'm particularly intrigued to see if Docpickedme can take another step forwards and begin to live up to Harry Whittington's hopes for him now that the stable are in better form.

1048: There's been a lively market for the SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle which opens Cheltenham card which suggests a degree of uncertainty.

Masters Legacy was out at 12/1 yesterday evening but is back in to a general 7/1 which is more or less the price he opened at.

I'd rather have 12s but was quite happy to back him at his opening price in a race where I am very keen to oppose Lively Citizen for win only purposes as I think his revised handicap mark will prove his undoing.

He's a horse I've followed for some time and he hasn't quite gone as far as I'd hoped but he's been running consistently and I think this drop back to two miles on good ground will suit him, as will giving weight away to 'inferior' rivals.

There is a danger of bias confirmation in sticking with horses that have taken the eye in the past I suppose and that is on my mind when suggesting Your Darling in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase.

Ben Pauling's runner has also attracted support and as I'm less keen on his chances, the 11/2 (from 7s) could be enough to persuade me to walk away. He ran well behind Jacamar at Kempton though (the winner's exaggerated hold-up tactics will be harder to execute on the Cheltenham hill), is unexposed over fences and his yard is in good form.

They had very high hopes for him as a youngster and even if he may not quite hit them, it looks as though he can rate higher yet.

I think there are decent enough reasons for taking on the likes of Imperial Alcazaar (trip), Oscar Elite (trip and form over fences) and Beakstown (best days behind him?).

Doncaster's Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle has been won by some fair horses in the past with the likes of Big Easy and Mia's Storm winning the two and a half mile handicap on the way to bigger things.

I briefly hovered over Ted's Friend who makes his handicap debut from a fair mark having been far from disgraced in a decent course novice last time.

He has doubled in price from last night though and preference is for the eminently more obvious claims of Gala De Corton who looks more than capable of coping with a 6lb rise in the weights.

The general 9/2 seems perfectly reasonable.

Fergal O'Brien trains Ted's Friend and I'm hoping he might enjoy better fortune in the Sky Bet Chase where the sponsors are paying down to sixth place.

Hurricane Harvey doesn't always jump that fluently which is a concern and I'd ideally prefer him to be 16s+ rather than 12/1, particularly given how poorly he ran at Cheltenham last time.

I did wonder whether that track just didn't suit him and certainly returning to a venue where he gained his biggest win over fences to date can only help. The eight-year-old is well handicapped on that novice form and stays well.

He's an each-way shout for me with those extra places on offer.

It does seem odd to see Cloudy Glen trading at 22s given he won the early season highlight at Newbury.

I know he's an in and out performer and the ground may be on the fast side but you don't get many bad winners of that historic handicap and one of those behind him, Demachine, is vying for favouritism.

1035: Third Time Lucki is another high profile odds-on shot in the Watch Off The Fence On attheraces.com Lightning Novices' Chase.

He faces two useful rivals in For Pleasure and Do Your Job and has to concede 5lbs so this is far from a formality but I came to the conclusion that he should get the job done.

Anyone fancy a few shorties in a multiple?

I wouldn't be surprised if a few headed that way with the 'good things'.

You could possibly throw Miranda in there too as she appears to hold live chances of backing up last year's victory in the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle and she has drifted out to even money.

That sort of thing isn't (usually) my bag though and I reckon there are a couple of runners at longer prices that I can throw a dart or two at.

1018: Chantry House and Champ are hoping to live up to their billing in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase and the Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle respectively.

There are very obvious reasons for opposing the former given his very poor performance in the King George when never competitive. Nicky Henderson has slapped on a pair of cheekpieces and offered a defence of the Kempton run which is all perfectly reasonable and I hope he wins and wins impressively.

Even that alone won't answer many questions as the opposition isn't championship standard and therein lies the main problem in opposing / laying him this afternoon. At this juncture I have to address Aye Right being rated only 1lb inferior to the odds-on favourite but the jolly has untapped potential to rate higher (as well as representing famous connections).

Even Santini is only rated 6lbs below Chantry House but he has a good deal to prove at present and the trip is a major question for Simply The Betts.

In contrast, Champ House comes into the Cleeve Hurdle on the back of an ultra-impressive performance at Ascot.

He does face a runner with untapped potential in McFabulous as well as a couple of Stayers' Hurdle winners but they might not be the force that they once were and defeat for Champ would both be surprising and bitterly disappointing.

1012: Hello and good morning,

Welcome to the racing blog with a fascinating day of action ahead of us. A lot of eyes will be on Cheltenham where Chantry House and Champ bid to cement / enhance / advertise their claims for glory back at Prestbury Park in March but, as ever, there's plenty more going on elsewhere.

The Sky Bet Chase takes centre stage at Doncaster but there's an Albert Bartlett race, Third Time Lucki bidding to banish that Sandown flop and more besides.

We'll try and keep abreast of the pick of the action and news throughout the day.

The going at both tracks remains good but there are a few non-runners including the notable Farinet who may have found these conditions too lively which is a shame for his intended jockey Lucy Turner who came close to winning a decent prize in front of the tv cameras at Ascot last weekend.

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