Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 43.02s

Walking On A Dream⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 112| C

13/8

Back on track when runner-up at Hexham (20f) in December but looked stretched by the 3f longer trip at Newcastle the following month. Better showing anticipated returned to 2½m.

Form: 21P-328

Heads Or Harps²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 110| C

11/4

Won 2m course handicap on this card last season and has found only one too good returned to this venue twice this campaign, as usual set a bit to do but not having a prayer with the winner over C&D last month. May prove vulnerable to a couple of less-exposed younger rivals.

Form: 21-6232

Jirko^p1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 88| BF

5/4

Didn't show a great deal in bumpers/over hurdles but this 7-y-o has performed with credit since switched to fences this season, placed all 4 starts around 3m. Less testing conditions and a drop to 2½m in his favour so fancied to go very close.

Form: 80-3233

Forecasts

Jirko (5/4), Walking On A Dream (13/8), Heads Or Harps (11/4)

JIRKO has made a promising start over fences and now faced with a more suitable test, Nick Alexander's 7-y-o earns the vote. Walking On A Dream is narrowly preferred over Heads Or Harps for the forecast spot.