2.05 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
RACE TRENDS:
28 of the last 29 winners won or came second last time out
13 of the last 15 winners had run in a pattern race before
22 of the last 26 winners had run at least three times over hurdles
19 of the last 20 winners were aged five or six
Pont Alexandre
“Runs in the Neptune and has done everything we have asked of him. I think he will be better on better ground and he is a horse who we have always thought a lot of. He's in good form - the ground wouldn't be a worry for me, or the trip. The potential for him looks immense, especially over fences rather than hurdles, but we thought we would stick to hurdles this year. He's got a great cruising speed, he jumps well, he seems to have everything. We are going there with good hopes." - Willie Mullins
"He's a horse I really like. He's unbeaten since coming to Ireland. He beat Don Cossack in a Grade One in Ireland then won a Grade Two at Leopardstown with a penalty when he really impressed me from the second last where he changed gears. I think he'll be better on decent ground. - Ruby Walsh
The New One
"He's all set and he's in very good form. We're looking forward to it. I'm not worried about the ground or the opposition." - Nigel Twiston-Davies
"Everything he has done we've been very happy with. We probably learned more in defeat last time than we would have ever learned by winning," said the rider. We know him inside out now. Our fellow is very tough but he just got outstayed that day, we're not making excuses, but on better ground at the Festival we see that as a positive. Obviously we have Pont Alexandre to beat and he looks very good and he's a massive worry, but we can't just ignore the others as well - it will be very competitive and we can't take anything lightly." Sam Nigel Twiston-Davies
Rule The World
"He's travelled over well and he's in good form. I've no complaints on that score. I'd say the ground is going to ride very tacky. With the covers down the wind hasn't had the chance to dry it out, but you can't have it both ways. I think our horse will go on any ground, so that wouldn't worry me anyway. He was impressive at Naas the last day and is a really nice horse. Hopefully he will run a big race.” - Mouse Morris
Verdict: Rule The World 7/1
2.40 RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices' Chase)
RACE TRENDS:
24 of the last 25 winners won or finished second last time out
11 of the last 17 winners were rated below 134 over hurdles, however the last six were not
Only 1 winner (Florida Pearl) with less than 3 chase starts since 1992
The last 48 winners had run in the calendar year
Seven year olds have won 11 of the last 13
Boston Bob
"I'm hoping that if he improves as much from his last run to this run as he did from his first run over fences to his second, then he'll have a chance. I think he will have to improve that much to win. I'm happy with him, but I would have preferred drier ground." - Willie Mullins
Lord Windermere
"He's got solid form on pretty heavy ground, but I personally think he'll be better on better ground. He's a laid-back individual, which I think will help him get the trip. He has decent form over two miles so he's not a slow horse. He'll travel and jump and I think he'll get himself in a good position two out. I'm not sending him over for the good of his health. I think the world of him and he's going to be one hell of a three-miler." - Jim Culloty
Lyreen Legend
"I'm looking forward to seeing him running. He'll go on the ground and he'll get the trip, so we'll see how he gets on. He ran a good race the last day behind Boston Bob and looked as though he had him beaten at one stage. I think our horse is a bit fitter now than he was that day and I'm very happy with him." - Dessie Hughes
Unioniste
"He has had a really good season for us. I thought he had a nice handicap mark before the Paddy Power and he stayed on strongly and jumped well to win. I gave him the rest of the winter off then he came back at Newbury. He jumps really well and keeps on improving. When he won last time at Newbury, he idled a lot all the way up the straight and eventually only won by a short-head. He's improved enormously for that run and I think he'll go well at Cheltenham. They will go a true gallop and he hasn't got to go from the front, as hopefully something else will take them along. I'm sure he'll go well. Ruby is very keen on him." - Paul Nicholls
Verdict: Lord Windermere 10/1
3.20 Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
RACE TRENDS:
21 of the last 28 winners had been at least placed at the festival before
13 of the last 20 winners had won at the festival before
27 of the last 29 winners had won beyond 2m 2f or won over course and distance
27 of the last 31 winners started in single figures in the betting
11 of the last 14 winners started at 5/1 or shorter
Sizing Europe
"His best performance this season was probably over two-and-a-half at Clonmel. It's not an issue. He's also won and been second in a Champion Chase in the last two years and won an Arkle so there's a lot to weigh up. He seems in good form, he travelled over well and we're hoping for a good run." - Henry De Bromhead
Sprinter Sacre
"I think he's a bit special. Sprinter has that touch of real class. I don't know if you can say he's the best chaser I've ever trained just yet, but he must be getting very close. In fairness, we've had better hurdlers over the years before Long Run came along, he's been the only realistic Gold Cup horse. The pressure is on because everybody will expect one of his flashy performances and I hope he can deliver again. He finds it ridiculously easy, but Cheltenham is Cheltenham and the course takes plenty of jumping. He is a hugely-talented natural athlete and is one of the best work horses I have ever had. - Nicky Henderson
Verdict: Sprinter Sacre 7-10 lengths 9/2
Best of luck!
