Cheltenham Festival favourite Champ is the star on show as horses trial for the big meeting at the track.
Saturday's card sees Nicky Henderson's charge go to post in the Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (3.05).
Odds on in the betting for the race in the build-up, the ten-year-old faces four rivals, including two Stayers' Hurdle winners, Paisley Park and Lisnagar Oscar.
Champ heads the ante-post market for this year's renewal on March 17, priced at 5-2 with Grovesnor Sport.
He could be part of a big Festival Trials Day double for owner JP McManus, who is represented by Chantry House in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (2.30).
Nico de Boinville's mount, 16-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race now sponsored by Boodles, will sport first-time cheekpieces.
In-form trainer Venetia Williams saddles Farinet in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (1.55).
Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond's wife Mindy is one of the co-owners of the grey, a five-and-a-half length winner last time out.
Race-by-race tips for Cheltenham
12.15 – SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle
1 Masters Legacy
2 The Widdow Maker
3 Geronimo
4 Cormier
5 Hystery Bere
6 Glory And Honour
7 Kihavah
8 Hydroplane
9 Severance
10 Byzantine Empire
11 Lively Citizen
12 Ashutor
TIPPING VERDICT: Good ground brings speed to the fore in the opener over the minimum trip. That will please Lively Citizen's connections as the consistent, prominent racer bids to follow-up his course and distance win. He enjoys the hill and should give Archie Bellamy another good spin. Cormier has an easier task than when finishing down the field in the Greatwood, when he made a bad mistake at the fifth flight. He does still look a touch high in the handicap though, unlike SEVERANCE. Rated in the 90s on the Flat, he is down to 122 now. Ben Pauling's runner posted a more encouraging effort last time off 3lb higher, over a trip which seems to stretch him. On a sounder surface connections will be able to make more use of his stamina at this trip and he's each-way value.
12.45 – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
1 Iceo
2 Interne De Sivola
3 Boulette
4 Forever William
5 Moka De Vassy
6 Moulins Clermont
7 Pied Piper
8 Silver Shade
TIPPING VERDICT: Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell team up with PIED PIPER. The four-year-old was a useful Flat performer over staying trips. Although he has not won on good ground, he was third over 1m 2f to an 86-rated rival and took the same position a few runs earlier at 1m 4f. He lacked a change of gear but two miles here will see him in a better light. He defeated a fancied Willie Mullins runner on debut, when they were 15 lengths ahead of their rivals. Likely to improve plenty as well.
1.20 – Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase
1 Imperial Alcazar
2 Solo
3 Oscar Elite
4 When You're Ready
5 Beakstown
6 Java Point
7 Your Darling
8 Goa Lil
TIPPING VERDICT: BEAKSTOWN is attractively weighted for this handicap, 9lb lower than when fifth at the Festival in 2020. Jack Andrews takes a further 5lb off, which might be enough to inspire the chaser back to winning ways. Java Point will have to race more smoothly than at Ludlow if he is to defy a 6lb higher mark, so Imperial Alcazar looks the main danger. He is a talented performer on his day and well capable of bettering his last two runs.
1.55 – Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
1 Magic Saint
2 Coole Cody
3 Whatmore
4 Gaelik Coast
5 Spiritofthegames
6 Farinet
7 She'sasupermack
8 Jacamar
9 Galahad Quest
10 Torn And Frayed
11 Eden Du Houx
TIPPING VERDICT: All of Farinet's wins have come with give in the ground, but he is progressive with just four outings for in-form Venetia Williams. Torn And Frayed finished behind My Drogo here earlier this season and was unsuited by deep ground at Haydock. He has more to give off a light weight, with Magic Saint and Coole Cody giving him a decent amount from the top of the handicap. A chance is taken on EDEN DU HOUX though. An each-way price, he was unsuited by fences being taken out at Chepstow last time as he is a good jumper. Prominent racers like him do well on the New Course.
2.30 – Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)
1 Aye Right
2 Chantry House
3 Kauto Riko
4 Santini
5 Simply The Betts
TIPPING VERDICT: CHANTRY HOUSE has to win this if connections are going to head to the Gold Cup. Nicky Henderson recently put him forward as his 'under the radar' horse for the big meeting, so the vibes are good. He just didn't show anything like his true form in the King George, when he was never going with gusto. Otherwise his record is excellent, with eight wins from 11 starts, including at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Cheekpieces help and his touch of class can see him bag the win from the plucky Aye Right.
3.05 – Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)
1 Champ
2 McFabulous
3 Paisley Park
4 Lisnagar Oscar
5 Dandy Mag
TIPPING VERDICT: CHAMP is hard to oppose as the Stayers' Hurdle favourite completes his preparation. Connections could have gone over fences, but the ten-year-old does seem to find the smaller obstacles to his liking, despite his 2020 RSA score. That advertised both his class and toughness. He has 10lb in hand of nearest market rival McFabulous on the figures and his odds reflect that.
3.40 – Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)
1 Hillcrest
2 Balco Coastal
3 North Lodge
4 A Different Kind
5 Picanha
6 Harper's Brook
TIPPING VERDICT: Hillcrest made a huge impression when winning at the track last time out and this huge horse can only get better with racing. He had a bit in hand that day too and his supporters will fancy his chances of giving weight away to this field. Trainer Henry Daly has plenty of faith in him, but BALCO COASTAL might just have the advantage on this occasion. His yard have a line to his market rival's form through the runner-up and he will appreciate the extra yardage. He showed useful speed in his wide-margin bumper win at Kempton too, so ticks a lot of boxes.
4.15 – Alan Swinbank Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed)
1 Flirtatious Girl
2 Betty's Belle
3 Fairy Gem
4 Hidden Beauty
5 Mistress Nell
6 Mullenbeg
7 Nell's Bells
8 Nos Na Gaoithe
9 Notnowlinda
10 Tintern Abbey
11 Walk In The Storm
12 Chic Avenue
TIPPING VERDICT: Hidden Beauty is one to follow judged on her debut Ffos Las success. She took that with authority and although it wasn't the strongest race, she charged home in eye-catching style from the back of the field. Tintern Abbey has more experience than some of these and could go well at a price, given her most recent front-running effort. If ready to go, FLIRTATIOUS GIRL will be a threat to all despite the 4lb penalty. Plenty of winners have come out of her impressive display in this type of event at Sandown.
