When it comes to the biggest occasions, Henry de Bromhead has had no peers in recent seasons.
For many punters, the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup are the two of the biggest and best races at the Cheltenham Festival, and de Bromhead has won them both for two successive seasons.
Honeysuckle was imperious in winning the 2021 and 2022 Champion Hurdles, while Minella Indo beat A Plus Tard in the 2021 Gold Cup before roles were reversed last year.
This season de Bromhead may struggle to reach those heights, but he nonetheless will have plenty of fascinating runners at the Cotswolds.
We have picked out four of those horses, with their current odds accurate at time of writing with bookmakers Betway.
Honeysuckle - Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle - 2/1
The two-time Champion Hurdle winner won't be defending her crown this season, instead she will bid to become a two-time winner of the Mares' Hurdle.
Time waits for no one, as they say, and the emergence of State Man and Constitution Hill on the two mile hurdling season has seemingly coincided in what seems a slight waning of her powers.
Nevertheless there was plenty to admire in the fight she showed when going down to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out.
That is arguably the best form shown by any mare this season and she should be a very tough nut to crack back against her own sex.
It is easy to forget that she is unbeaten in three runs at the Cheltenham Festival and there will be no horses of the calibre of State Man or Constitution Hill in this lineup.
Inthepocket - Ballymore Novices' Hurdle - 10/1
This novice hurdler has gone under the radar somewhat this season despite his lofty price tag.
JP McManus paid £290,000 for this point to point winner and he couldn't have been more impressive in winning his maiden hurdle at Wexford.
Stepped up in trip and class at Naas next time (rearranged from Navan) the son of Blue Bresil showed that he has plenty of stamina reserves to go with his high cruising speed in beating Three Card Brag and Absolute Notions.
The former named horse has gone to frank that form and is now one of the favourites for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, while Absolute Notions has gone on to finish second in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors Novices Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Inthepocket was dropped back down in trip for the Dublin Racing Festival last time out and was just tapped for toe by the speedier Il Etait Temps.
The step back in trip will suit at Cheltenham and he looks a big player at an each-way price.
Monty's Star - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - 9/1
De Bromhead has two intriguing contenders for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle but Monty's Star makes the most appeal.
Owned by Barry Maloney, the son of Walk in the Park is related to Monalee, who was second in this race in 2017.
And much like his relation, it has been a case of slow and steady progression for Monty's Star.
A fourth place finish in a bumper was his only run last season before he reappeared in a maiden hurdle at Navan in January.
The six-year-old flew up the hill at Navan to finish an eye-catching second behind Shanbally Kid, and it was telling that De Bromhead didn't bother seeking another maiden hurdle thereafter.
Instead Monty's Star was pitched in against his stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake in a Grade 3 at Clonmel.
While receiving six pounds from his rival, the manner of Monty's Star victory created the impression that this horse has a huge engine and is slowly learning how to race.
In a wide open renewal of this race, he could spring a minor surprise.
Maskada - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase - 16/1
De Bromhead has a host of exciting prospects running in the Mares' Novices Hurdle that deserve a second look, but he could also play a hand in the handicaps throughout the week.
Always known for getting the best out of his chasers, the stable switch from Stuart Edmunds to De Bromhead for Maskada has been an intriguing one.
After running very respectfully in a Grade 1 novices chase at the Punchestown Festival, the mare was sent into handicap company this season.
Running a big race when tipping up at Fairyhouse, Maskada was impressive in winning a Limerick handicap next time out.
Despite going up nine pounds in the handicap, the mare was heavily backed when stepped up in trip at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Again travelling strongly, she weakened quickly in the closing stages over the extended distance to finish in a distant 11th place.
But the drop back down in trip and the fast gallop guaranteed in the Grand Annual is bound to suit this mare, who looks to have the potential to land a big handicap pot.
