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1715: That's all for today.

There's been some fascinating racing over the course of the weekend and a fair few tears too.

I hope you've enjoyed the highs and have managed to ride out the lows. Thank you for your company and I hope you'll join us again soon.

1706: Ginto is the 4/6 favourite and one of three runners in the field in single figures. He was beaten at 4/9 on debut. The horse that beat him that day finished third in a Grade Two behind Kilcruit at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Now Where Or When has had three runs under Rules already and is the obvious form challenger. Willie Mullins doesn't have a representative which feels like a rare event (I'm sure it isn't).

The Flier Begley leads the field into the straight but his advantage is quickly whittled away but Ginto isn't having it all his own way. Jamie Codd is getting pretty serious with him and he rolls around in the lead but eventually puts the race to bed and wins by well over five lengths. Job done. That's four winners on the card for Gordon Elliott who expects the winner to be a staying chaser in time.

1654: There's a gamble in the Market Rasen bumper and it's on the top one, Are Ya Welll.

Trainer Neil Mechie is a new name to me but the booking of Brian Hughes obviously takes the eye.

Nicky Richards trains the favourite Fly By Milan who has had a couple of cracks already. Has Troke is another for support while Dan Skelton's River Legend is relatively unconsidered at 11/2; I'd be tempted to take a chance on him on debut as the yard do well in this sphere. The stable has a better than one in four strike rate in course bumpers and he's an each-way price (sort of!).

The bumper at Navan features a high profile odds-on favourite in Ginto who fetched the fairly eye watering sum of 470,000 euros. The form of his debut ties in with Kilcruit, current Cheltenham favourite, so the race is not without interest.

Peejaybee wins for James Bowen at Market Rasen with Fly By Milan second and River Legend third. The winner was trained by Richard Spencer whose yard also houses the promising Wonderwall. I wonder if they'd worked together? You might have expected the winner to have been shorter than 6/1 if he'd shown much at home in company with his stablemate.

1641: There is some money for Horn Cape on debut for Nicky Henderson - that's pretty interesting as he was fairly weak earlier in the day. Might I is strong and 'has an impressive walk' according to Lydia Hislop. Trainer Harry Fry hasn't been enjoying a great run.

I Like To Move It remains reasonably solid in the face of the money for the other two and he certainly impressed in winning both starts; as a four-year-old he receives a fair bit of weight from Might I. Good Risk At All is a double figure price but already a Listed winner and might be a little insulted by his odds.

Off and away and the pace, as far as I can tell from my chair, appears reasonable. Horn Cape and Bill Baxter (another for money) are towards the rear. Might I and I Like To Move It just ahead of them. Good Risk At All goes with that pair on the run to the home turn. Might I looms large on the stands' side. Good Risk At All (10/1) on the inside and Sam Thomas' runner hits the front under Tom Scudamore, he wanders around a bit and holds off the challenge of I Like To Move It.

Good performance under a penalty.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly for Might I but he didn't find a great deal when push came to shove. Hopefully Harry Fry's stable will show a few more signs of life before the Festival although Martin Dixon is suggesting Might I over-raced to halfway. The first five pulled nicely clear with the always prominent Gelino Bello third.

1624: Shattered Glass has been quite well backed at Market Rasen and he has the potential to improve granted this greater test of stamina (according to the tv experts as I glance quickly at his form). This is just his second start over fences and he's starting off from the right end of the handicap as they say.

I haven't tuned into Uttoxeter since the start of the card but David England is having a fine old time and has completed a treble. His latest winner was Eaton Miller and, like the preceding one, was trained by Ryan Potter. I don't know a great deal about the trainer but he's made a pretty decent start to his career.

There's another low grade handicap from Navan before the finale at Newbury which is the Listed Read Tony Calvin's Tips On Betting.Betfair, a bumper. The race has a decent history with Oscar Rock, Ballyandy and Barters Hill all on the roll of honour although it's a shame that the latter's trainer, Ben Pauling, won't be represented by Mucho Mas who impressed on debut.

Ballyandy went on to win the Champion Bumper which heightens interest in his unbeaten stablemate I Like To Move It.

Closing stages at Market Rasen and Shattered Glass is there but Archie Brown appears to be going better. Archie Brown jumps to the front at the last and is driven out to score at 25/1.

1620: While I'm looking back through some of the day's quotes, Gordon Elliott was much happier with Tiger Roll than a number of observers.

“Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired. It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham. Keith said he was happy with him, but he just got tired in the ground. He’ll be OK. Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground.”

I wonder if Enrilo will go for the Ultima Handicap Chase and if he'd get up the hill? He has some decent form over hurdles and can't go up much in the weights for that victory.

1610: Best turned out winner Thegallantway doesn't get very high at the first but leads over the second. You could throw the proverbial blanket over them but I've never actually seen a blanket that large. A sail maybe. Ben Ainslie should have one to spare now.

With a circuit to race I've glanced at some Nicky Henderson quotes on Champ ("He was deadly") and he, like so many others it seems, has been off to Henrietta Knight's to school. Champ that is, not Henderson. She must be mustard.

“We boxed him over to Henrietta Knight’s the other day and he’s gone three times either way in the loose school. That (his jumping) needed ironing out and it clearly worked.

“He’s an exciting horse and much better on a racecourse than at home. You wouldn’t give two and sixpence for him on the grass gallop, but when he gets to the racecourse it’s like flicking a switch and he’s on the case full wallop!"

Enrilo goes nicely in second, Rockpoint isn't on a going day. Hold The Note third, Mill Green fifth. Enrilo leads over the open ditch, how much does he find? Hold The Note is the next challenger, Ballymoy third. Enrilo goes clear but then idles (possibly) and just holds on by about a half with Ballymoy also in close attendance.

The finish was much closer than looked likely and he gave his supporters a fright as Megan Nicholls says 'he's definitely a little monkey'.

1557: Right. What's been happening elsewhere?

David England has completed a double at Uttoxeter with Light Flicker winning for Cotswolds handler Ryan Potter while there's delight for the Punting Pointers team and their followers as Getaway North obliges at Market Rasen.

They're circling at the start of Navan while I tried to track down a Coral Cup price for Guard Your Dreams (he wasn't quoted which is as well as that needs more reflection). Racing for a maiden hurdle which features a couple of useful types.

There's a small but interesting field for the "My Oddsboost" On Betfair Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, the penultimate race at Newbury. It wasn't a race that I had a strong view on when I looked at it last night but perhaps Thegallantway (whose latest run behind St Barts takes the eye) can continue the good form of Fergal O'Brien and Paddy Brennan.

Hold The Note was third behind Imperial Aura and Galvin at the last Cheltenham Festivals and, accordingly, remains of close interest despite a less than inspiring season to date.

The race at Navan goes the way of 6/4 favourite Alko Rouge.

1545: The winning rider is understandably delighted.

Soaring Glory is receiving quotes of 10s and 12s for the Sky Bet Supreme apparently and the trainer's Get Me Out Of Here went on to finish second, beaten a head, in that race after winning this prize. Soaring Glory is rated 2lbs lower than the JP McManus runner at the same point in their careers and has breathed new life into the picture for the Festival curtain raiser.

Metier, who was among the ante-post favourites for the Betfair Hurdle, has a mark of 149 and there won't be an awful lot between the pair once they've been reassessed.

Jonjo O'Neill is playing it down. This doesn't happen by chance is the question (sort of) put to him and the reply, 'it does really'. Brilliant. He confirms that they'll think about the Supreme but in the same sentence admits 'that was the plan today'.

Soaring Glory was as big as 40/1 for the Supreme an hour ago but the best available now looks to be 16s and I doubt that will last as it's a clear standout. It is a tried and tested path for a top novice.

1533: A little support for Sandown winner Guard Your Dreams who is 16s from 20s. His stable won the opener and saddle a live contender in the bumper too. Coming out onto the course. Good luck whoever you're with. Martin Dixon has backed Milkwood and Megan Nicholls' paddock pick was Edwardstone.

Starter's not happy. For Pleasure is very eager to get on with things. Off at the second time of asking. Wild Max falls at the first. For Pleasure predictably leads from Galice Macalo and Highway One O Two. There's a long way from first to last with Milkwood the back marker. The leaders have come back to the field. Turning for home. Cadzand on the outside. Soaring Glory goes on. He leads home Fifty Ball and Edwardstone.

The winner was returned at 17/2 and was always well placed for Jonjo O'Neill Jr, racing towards the fore of the chasing pack behind the leaders. That was quite straightforward as races of this nature go. Not many of those that were held up right at the back managed to land a blow which was a little surprising given the pace at the front. Guard Your Dreams has fairly rattled home, Coral Cup winner?

1525: They're running for the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle and Rachael Blackmore is soon in front aboard the favourite, she's looking to complete a double on the card.

It won't be long until the Betfair Hurdle field are leaving the paddock at Newbury. It appears as there are no late springers in the market at this stage. Back at Navan and Minella Escape continues to go smoothly, trainer Henry de Bromhead has saddled two recent winners of this prize and both went on to contest the Albert Bartlett. The leader is receiving a slap of the reins to keep his mind on the job and it doesn't work as he takes a tumble at the second last. Frontal Assault wins for Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown.

1513: A competitive 0-135 handicap hurdle is off shortly at Market Rasen while Minella Escape is now odds-on for the Grade Three novice at Navan with Ragnar Lodbrok now a non-runner. Not long after those two races it will be the eagerly awaited Betfair Hurdle. Cadzand is still a clear favourite, a couple of points shorter than Mister Coffey and Soaring Glory.

Henderson has won the Betfair Hurdle five times but not since My Tent Or Yours in 2013. Mister Coffey was heavily supported at Sandown but didn't justify that confidence, he hasn't had an awful lot of racing but has more to prove than Cadzand who was himself the subject of a notable gamble when winning at Kempton. He's 9lbs higher but the form is working out well.

There have been winning joint-favourites at both Uttoxeter and Market Rasen with Happy Hollow and Ajero collecting. They're leaving the paddock at Navan. Beacon Edge won the previous race, the Boyne Hurdle, and could be set to step up to Grade One company for the Aintree Hurdle in April.

1501: Coming in at Newbury.

All over the first. Champ won best turned out apparently. Greaneteen wants to go faster than his jockey is prepared to let him. Champ leads Dolos. He's jumping slickly so far. They're turning out of the back straight. Fanion d'Estruval has dropped to rear and isn't going well. Sceau Royal moves closer. Champ still leads at four out. He's joined by Sceau Royal two out. They're together at the last but Sceau Royal goes on, Champ sticks to his guns in second - cracking return to action. The Gold Cup dream is very much alive.

That will be a popular winner for the owners and Daryl Jacob after they lost L'Ami Serge yesterday. He was returned at 3/1.

Nicky Henderson will surely be over the moon with that performance from Champ and that's a massive run. He's as low as 6/1 for the WellChild Gold Cup. The bulletins from the yard have been increasingly positive in recent weeks and Champ hasn't let them down.

1455: The Betfair Game Spirit Chase sees the return of Champ but it would be a major surprise if he can win a Grade Two contest over two miles. Sceau Royal has been in good form all season but has to be a favourite to take on.

It's Greaneteen who is surprisingly (to me) long in the market and Fanion d'Estruval against the field for me. I'm amazed Champ is only half a point longer than the Paul Nicholls-trained runner who looks to be an out and out two miler whereas Champ needed every yard of the RSA Chase trip to prevail. Have I missed something? It wouldn't be the first time to be fair.

Martin Dixon believes 3/1 is a big price about Sceau Royal to win this race. He's in receipt of weight and has conditions to suit, the Racing TV pundit points out, along with plenty of form in the book that entitles him to win this race.

1440: We could all use a boost after that and a good run from Tiger Roll in the Boyne Hurdle would be just the ticket.

Fury Road's task is that little bit easier now as French Dynamite has been taken out since I last looked at the field which leaves Beacon Edge as the principal danger and Darasso as short as 6/1.

Midnight Tune has won a nice prize for Anthony Honeyball at Uttoxeter, that's a double on the card for him. Another close finish at Market Rasen with Martello Sky getting the better of Marada.

Beacon Edge is the new favourite for the Boyne Hurdle. Fury Road has been tipped in a few places for the Stayers Hurdle and was only beaten a neck into third in last season's Albert Bartlett. He drops back from three miles whereas Beacon Road is stepping up from two.

Ruby Walsh says Tiger Roll looks bright and alert.

They're off with Fury Road straight into the lead. Tiger Roll is on the outside of Scarpeta and Decor Irlandais in rear. Everything is travelling comfortably but they're only racing down the home straight for the first time and have a circuit to go. No changes to the order with Beacon Edge and Darasso in second and third as they pass their starting point. Five furlongs to run. Beacon Edge challenges. Tiger Roll drops to last. Fury Road quickens. Tiger Roll clambered over the last and that could be the last we see of him. He travelled well for a long way but got very tired in the straight. Perhaps he just needed the run? Gordon Elliott will tell us more in the next hour or so I imagine.

Beacon Edge prevails in a driving finish at 15/8. Good contest.

1435: Luke Harvey relating that 'it didn't look good for The Conditional' which is desperate news in any circumstances but particularly for a stable like David Bridgwater's where very good horses are hard to come by.

The worst news has been confirmed and The Conditional has been put down.

The Racing TV presenters also relayed that Here Comes Johny suffered the same fate in the Sidney Banks.

It's not been a great weekend on that score. A stark reminder of the dangers of the game.

1422: Clan Des Obeaux solid at the top of the market. Can he recover from his exertions in the King George?

It was hardly a bad run but it was short of his best and he looked lethargic. Megan Nicholls reports him to be in great form now.

This better ground should suit Lostintranslation but he does have a little more to prove. Support continues to come for Kalashnikov who is now 10/3. I just can't see it over this trip but there's clearly confidence that he'll see it out. There was morning money for Cepage and he's solid at 7s with his stamina also being put to the test.

Secret Investor jumps off in front. Terrefort, wider on the track, is also prominent. Cepage appears to be taking a bit of a hold and is being restrained just behind the front two. Neither he nor Lostintranslation were brilliant at the third.

They've jumped eight (the water) and Cepage is racing more kindly now. They're tightly grouped. The Conditional has been pulled up on the turn, that's a great shame. The remainder all go well. Five to jump. Terrefort drops to rear over the cross-fence. Cepage struggling into the home straight. The big two look threatening but Secret Investor still leads as Lostintranslation goes out very quickly.

Photo.

I think Secret Investor (14/1) has beaten Clan Des Obeaux. Another big day for Bryony Frost and a one-two for Paul Nicholls.

Kalashnikov was a solid third. Lostintranslation looked really threatening but cut out in a matter of strides. Clan Des Obeaux ran well but was conceding 6lbs to the winner and was rated just 7lbs higher.

1413: The Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle is the title of the next at Navan but I doubt there's one as good as her in the contest.

Ruby Walsh and Gary O'Brien sing the praises of Hugh Morgan before dissecting this Listed contest; 'absolutely exceptional' says Walsh who should know.

Atlantic Fairy is one of the leading fancies and a fascinating runner having finished second to Master McShee before winning her maiden. She's straight into the lead and is still there with a mile to run, around three and a half in front of Global Equity.

The betting for the Betfair Denman Chase has just flashed up and I'm a little surprised to see Kalashnikov at 4s.

Second last at Navan and Atlantic Fairy (11/4 jt-fav) leads from The Sliding Rock. Global Equity rallies but this is another for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

1359: O'Brien also has a runner in quite an interesting class 3 handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter where they have just jumped the third.

Straight after this is the Sidney Banks from Market Rasen, a contest that was won by Shishkin last season.

Gustavian wins in the Midlands for Ben Godfrey and Anthony Honeyball.

Donald McCain has been enjoying a fine month or two and Minella Drama is 5/4 to land this Listed prize. Stoner's Choice is progressive but I hadn't really expected him to be up to this level, he's been quite well backed to prove me wrong in an interesting heat. His jockey, Max Kendrick, can't utilise his claim but he at least comes into the race full of confidence after a winner at Ascot yesterday.

David Bass has set out to make all aboard Optimise Prime, Minella Drama races in second. Little to report with a circuit to run. Stoner's Choice and Here Comes Johny flattened the fourth last and the latter goes wrong and is quickly pulled up after the third last. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious. Minella Drama jumps alongsides at the second last and quickly asserts.

Impressive performance. Stoner's Choice a good second. The winner returned the 13/8 favourite under Brian Hughes.

1351: Dhowin is down at the first and hampered Es Perfecto and Southfield Harvest.

The remaining runners are galloping down the home straight for the first time with Vive Le Roi at their head. Sizable Sam is well positioned in third.

While looking for the Navan replay, I note that Gordon Elliott has told Racing TV that Coko Beach will bypass the National Hunt Chase and aim for the Irish Grand National.

Southfield Harvest has moved into fourth with three to jump. Sizable Sam and Commanche Red contest the lead. Es Perfecto moves smoothly through the field with Tom Bellamy delaying his challenge. Six in a line at the second last. Five at the last.

Polish (14/1) puts the, er, polish on a good weekend for Paddy Brennan and Fergal O'Brien.

Howling Milan was second and Southfield Harvest a very satisfactory third.

1335: Hawthorn Cottage has the lead at Market Rasen as they take the final flight on the far side. Off The Hook takes the eye moving into fourth but she is wide on the turn. Gazette Bourgeoise briefly led over the second last but was headed at the last in an ever changing order. Exciting stuff. Blarney Bateleur was the 28/1 winner.

Quite a lot happened quickly, all while I tried to work out how to spell Gazette Bourgeoise.

Mark Howard added Southfield Harvest to his Cheltenham Festival portfolio at the start of the week but I don't quite know what he'll be hoping for here as the seven-year-old is probably already high enough in the weights to get a run in the Pertemps Final and may not want to get too much higher up the handicap.

Es Perfecto cedes experience to most of the field but the novice looks interesting on this step into handicap company having chased home Bravemansgame last time. I like Sizable Sam but two of the runners he beat last time did little for his form yesterday. He has been backed though as has Value Bet selection Dhowin who is now 13/2 having been advised at 16s yesterday.

I wasn't paying much attention to Navan (sorry) but Hugh Morgan's victory on Young Dev has just been described as one of the rides of the season. Oops.

I think he may have lost his irons. Replay via twitter in due course.

1326: They're over the fifth last at Uttoxeter and not far from the start at Market Rasen for a competitive mares' handicap hurdle.

Punters tend to remember horses that won for them and Rosy World did me a favour a couple of years back. I'll be interested to see how she fares but meanwhile there aren't many still standing at Uttoxeter where there have been falls and unseats leaving Exelerator Express (13/8 favourite) to beat Knight Destroyer.

The winner 'had absolutely no chance of winning' turning out of the back straight says Robert Cooper.

It's a lively market in Lincolnshire and Off The Hook heads the betting on her second start for Dan Skelton. Precious Eleanor, for Henry Daly, has been backed into second favourite.

1314: Coming out onto the course at Newbury.

Calipto won this race for Paul Nicholls in 2014 and was then sent off as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle but this year's representative, Good Ball, doesn't hold an entry for the Festival contest.

He races in second, on the shoulders of Gowel Road over the fourth. Ahorsewithnoname is just behind the leader on the inside with Hoi Polloi on her outside. Turning for home. Good Ball takes over at the third last where Hoi Polloi unseats his rider. Gowel Road fights back and they're together at the last. Gowel Road (7/2) proves the stronger.

That's a better start to Nigel Twiston-Davies' day. Nobby made an encouraging return in third.

The winner holds an entry in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle but is unlikely to be troubling the principals if taking his chance.

1259: On his second start in France, Homme Public ran Houx Gris to a neck. The winner is now with Paul Nicholls and was third in Chepstow's Grade One Finale Juvenile Hurdle on debut for the yard.

It's 6/5 and 13/8 the top two at Navan for the three mile Grade Two which is due off at 1305.

Gilbertina has the lead at Market Rasen from Homme Public as they move into the final half mile. The favourite is being asked for an effort but responds to hit the front at the second last and goes on by a couple of lengths to win readily.

Forza Milan has the early lead at Navan but only just from Coko Beach and Mr Hendricks.

Back at Newbury, Ahorsewithnoname is back as the clear favourite in an interesting novice hurdle. Second favourite is Good Ball who made a winning debut for Paul Nicholls. In France he finished second to Teahupoo who made a winning debut for Gordon Elliott in Ireland when Youmdor fell at the last.

Nobby was a good bumper performer but has been very weak in the market ahead of his belated hurdling debut. It will be interesting to see how he fares but more obvious claims are held by Gowel Road and Hoi Polloi with the latter representing the in-form Emma Lavelle.

There are four fences to jump at Navan and Forza Milan still leads Coko Beach but Espanito Bello has closed right up. The big two go on approaching the second last and it's the Thyestes winner who prevails, taking advantage of his rival's mistake at the last. Gordon Elliott's runner is returned the 5/4 favourite.

It looked as though it would have been close but jumping is the name of the game as they say.

1247: On Racing TV Martin Dixon believes Cadzand is still well handicapped but isn't convinced that the Betfair Hurdle will play to his strengths. If he gave a fancy for the race during that exchange I missed it but I'll see if I can track it down. Megan Nicholls hopes that her father's Thyme White can get involved.

Gary O'Brien and Ruby Walsh are on duty at Navan and Walsh prefers Fury Road to French Dynamite in the Boyne Hurdle. Walsh mentions Mr Hendricks as 'the interesting one' in the opening Ten Up Novice Chase.

There didn't appear to be an awful lot of depth to the first at Uttoxeter where Fletch was very well backed to open his account over hurdles. He hit the frame behind a couple of useful performers on his first two starts. Fletch (4/9 fav) hit the front after the third last and was ridden out to score by David England. There was an encouraging debut from Gadjet d'Ainay for Dan Skelton in second.

Winning trainer Olly Murphy is also represented in the first at Market Rasen but Homme Public is the 5/4 favourite.

1237: A fair few of today's declared runners were in action yesterday and, accordingly, aren't lining up again.

An up to date list of the non-runners can be found here but I think most of the principals have stood their ground so far.

We're not too far away from the first at Uttoxeter. I haven't touched on that card yet or on Market Rasen's fare but the latter stage also hosts a restaged race in the Ballymore Sidney Banks Novices' Hurdle which is usually at Huntingdon.

Minella Drama is favourite for that Listed contest but I'm interested in dual Hereford winner Optimise Prime who was a non-runner from the Leamington Hurdle at Warwick on account of the ground. Ben Pauling said 'I'm confident he'll run a big race' in the pre-race quotes and this race looks less competitive. He's a 7/1 chance in a five-runner field so there's no obvious market confidence behind his chance but that may not be a concern.

1228: The card at Navan kicks off with an intriguing match up between Coko Beach and Espanito Bello who have already met once this season.

That beginners chase over two miles three saw the latter run out an 18 length winner but Coko Beach produced a career best performance in blinkers to win the Thyestes Chase over three miles last time and is now rated 4lbs superior.

It's an intriguing match up.

The Grade Three Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle was won by Allaho last year, one of six recent winners of the race for Willie Mullins (the list also includes Don Poli). Surprisingly Mullins isn't represented this season but Henry de Bromhead - who saddled Chris's Dream and Monalee to lift this prize - is in the form of impressive Tramore winner Minella Escape and victory could see him state his case for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle for which he's currently around the 33/1 mark.

1209: Strong cases can be made for any number of the field of course.

Gary Moore and Nigel Twiston-Davies have both enjoyed plenty of recent success in the Betfair Hurdle while Dan Skelton's horses could hardly be in better form and Cadzand fairly hosed up at Kempton.

Nicky Henderson runs three, Milkwood has looked desperately unlucky on a couple of occasions and arguably deserves a big pot while Edwardstone is another strong traveller with a turn of foot who has always had a touch of class, this type of race could bring out the best in him.

We're set for a cracking contest.

1156: The one I settled on at the top of the market was Soaring Glory.

It's 11 years since Jonjo O'Neill won this prize with Get Me Out Of Here but he has another live candidate in the Fame And Glory gelding who races from a similar mark. GMOH won from 135 and this year's runner makes his handicap debut off 133 following a respectable run in a Grade Two run over C&D.

He's looked smart from the very first day, winning his first two bumpers before finishing second to Israel Champ in a Listed race at Ascot.

Bravemansgame has clearly improved in leaps and bounds since being beaten by Soaring Glory at Chepstow on their respective hurdling debuts but that is still a fine piece of form and I don't think there's been much wrong with the latter's subsequent efforts. He travels well and has a good turn of foot which is a potentially useful weapon in a race like this and he's always been held in high regard by his top stable. There's an awful lot to like.

1141: The claims of an outsider are often tenuous by nature and that's certainly the case with Highway One O Two in the Betfair Hurdle but bear with me.

He was a decent novice hurdler, winning all three starts, including the Grade Two Dovecote Novices' Hurdle where Buzz was a disappointing beaten favourite in fourth. A literal reading of that form makes him of clear interest at 50/1 with Buzz a general 10/1 shot. Their trajectories have been very different since Kempton with Highway One O Two failing to complete in two chases before reverting to hurdles at Sandown in a race won by the re-opposing Guard Of Dreams.

He was very easy to back that day and duly finished well beaten having been held-up in the rear but the run should have got his eye back in over the smaller obstacles. He is a free-going individual that connections have struggled to persuade to settle (he made all in two of his hurdle wins) and may well have resented being held-up at Sandown.

It would be a surprise if connections don't give him his head this time and allow him to stride on and this large field, where there promises to be plenty of pace, could well suit and see him settle for Jamie Moore and outrun his odds.

Whether he's well enough handicapped to win even on his best form I'm not so sure but I can see him rewarding each-way support (with the enhanced place offers) if returning to somewhere near his best and it's encouraging that the stable's horses are running well lately.

1132: I just can't see Cepage winning the Betfair Denman Chase.

He's a super horse but he didn't appear to stay to my eyes in the Ultima Handicap Chase on his sole previous attempt at around this trip and it almost feels as though the money for him is by default as much as anything else.

He is in form whereas leading candidates Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation both have something to prove in terms of well-being. The same is true of Terrefort who is having his first run since March 2019.

Kalashnikov is another doubtful stayer which leaves The Conditional (winner of the Ultima when receiving 16lbs from Cepage), who looks set to take part in the Grand National, and Secret Investor who hasn't been sighted since pulling up as favourite for the Ladbrokes Chase.

The Tizzards have been making more confident noises about Lostintranslation so perhaps he can bounce back (again).

1127: We have some market movers and offers, courtesy of Sky Bet while there are some Newbury market movers from Paddy Power detailed on the tweet below this post.

Newbury

13.50 – Howling Milan 16/1 from 22/1

14.25 – Cepage 9/1 from 12/1

15.00 – Dolos 8/1 from 9/1

15.35 – Buzz 10/1 from 12/1

Navan

13.05 – Mr Hendricks 9/2 from 5/1

14.15 – Global Equity 5/2 from 10/3

14.47 – Beacon Edge 7/2 from 5/1 overnight

15.25 – Ragnar Lodbrok 5/2 from 11/4

Extra Place Races

13.50 Newbury - Paying 6 places instead of 4 (if 16 or more runners)

15.35 Newbury - Betfair Hurdle - Paying 7 places instead of 4 (if 18 or more runners)

13.30 Market Rasen - Paying 4 Places instead of 3 (if 8 or more runners)

16.25 Market Rasen - Paying 4 Places instead of 3 (if 8 runners or more)

13.40 Navan - Paying 4 Places instead of 3 (if 8 or more runners)

16.35 Navan - Paying 6 places instead of 4 (if 16 or more runners)

1120: Al Ferof and Chantry House bookend the list of the last 10 winners of the Read Paul Nicholls On Betting.Betfair Novices' Hurdle.

Whether there is anything as good as that pair in this year's field I'm not sure but runners from the same yards as the aforementioned pair dominate the betting with Good Ball currently edging Ahorsewithnoname for favouritism with Gowel Road the other for support at present.

I had thought Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Gowel Road, might enjoy some good fortune yesterday but that couldn't have proved wider of the mark with his runners finishing positions being: 3 / 7 / P / P / P / 4 / P.

The bad news is I thought a couple from the yard were quite interesting again today but that rather dents confidence.

1111: There will be an awful lot of eyes on Newbury too. The Betfair Hurdle is one of the biggest betting races of the season and has attracted a typically competitive field while we have the fascinating prospect of last season's RSA Chase winner making his seasonal reappearance over two miles in the Betfair Game Spirit Chase.

It's probably too much to expect Champ to win but what would be a good return?

His jumping will clearly come under close scrutiny; would a clear round and finishing within 10 lengths of the winner satisfy you?

As for the winner, I thought that this might be the day that Fanion d'Estruval stepped up on some promising performances and he's marginally preferred to a penalised Greaneteen in a race where none of the others appeal.

That said, those of you who have already read Matt's Value Bet column will be aware that he's put up Magic Saint!

1101: Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Sorry.

You know there's a phrase lingering in the back of your mind and you scratch the itch and look it up.

Not a huge amount can be expected from Tiger Roll in a good renewal of the Boyne Hurdle but he hasn't shown an awful lot in his two starts this season (one Flat, one cross-country) and connections will be hoping that he, at least, shows some of his old sparkle.

Connections will also be hopeful of winning the race with Fury Road who was a disappointing favourite behind Flooring Porter in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle but he faces some stiff opposition.

French Dynamite wasn't far behind Fury Road at Leopardstown and could be the better suited of the pair by the drop back to an intermediate trip while Beacon Edge, another Gigginstown runner, steps back up from two miles having previously run Honeysuckle close over two and a half.

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