1.30 SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

Willie Mullins has won this race five times in the past 10 years. His great rival Nicky Henderson was responsible for three of the other winners. With Henderson unrepresented this year, the way is clear for Mullins once again. Facile Vega was odds-on favourite for this race until he lost his unbeaten record last month in Leopardstown. Connections are convinced he just went too fast too early on that occasion. Mullins would not risk the horse if he felt he wasn’t in top form and jockey Paul Townend stays loyal too. Stable companion Il Etait Temps is a rock-solid each-way bet. The rain won’t suit Marine Nationale or High Definition.

SELECTION: FACILE VEGA. ALTERNATIVE: IL ETAIT TEMPS

2.10 ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY

This is effectively a match between Jonbon (Nicky Henderson) and El Fabiolo (Mullins). A single jumping error by either one will likely result in defeat. Of the pair, El Fabiolo is the one most likely to make a mistake but he is also the one with the most potential for improvement and gets the nod. Look out for Saint Roi to finish fast and claim a place, or possibly even win if the two favourites get into a battle too soon.

SELECTION: EL FABIOLO. ALTERNATIVE: SAINT ROI

2.50 ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE

A really good betting race with 23 starters. Last year’s winner Corach Rambler comes here again in good form on his way to the Grand National next month. He’s only 6lb higher than last year but it’s asking a lot of jockey Derek Fox to manoeuvre his way through the field and lead at the line, just like he did in 2022.

Soft ground will be ideal for the consistent Nassalam, who deserves to win a race like this and the step up in distance to three miles could be just what he needs. The form of his latest two runs (sixth in the Paddy Power and third in the New Year’s Day Chase, both at Cheltenham) have worked out extremely well.

The Big Breakaway, Into Overdrive and old boy Top Ville Ben (33/1) are three others to consider.

SELECTION: NASSALAM. ALTERNATIVE: INTO OVERDRIVE

3.30 CHAMPION HURDLE

Constitution Hill has never lost a race and has always won by at least 12 lengths. He recorded a very fast time when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on this card a year ago and the different ground conditions today will be no bother to him. He wins. State Man is a long way clear of the remainder.

SELECTION: CONSTITUTION HILL. ALTERNATIVE: STATE MAN

4.10 MARES’ HURDLE

This is surely the race of the day, if not the week. All nine runners have a shot at winning, so it makes sense to look for a bit of value.

At the top of the market, last year’s winner Marie’s Rock is going to be tough to beat. Then you’ve got Honeysuckle, a dual Champion Hurdle winner, and Epatante, who won the Champion Hurdle herself in 2020 and is no back number. Soft ground here won’t help those mares last the full distance and they could come up a bit short in the closing stages.

Despite all their strong claims, let’s go for Echoes In Rain. She finished fifth in this race last year but she raced too keenly then and seems a more settled racemare now. The softer ground this year will also help her to close the gap.

The tough Love Envoi is another who has it all to do on ratings but this strong finisher is fancied to go well.

SELECTION: ECHOES IN RAIN. ALTERNATIVE: LOVE ENVOI

4.50 JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE

Another very tricky betting contest, with 22 relatively inexperienced young hurdlers doing battle. Seven of the past 12 winners have been 25/1 or bigger, so it’s time to take a swing for the fences. Trainer Gordon Elliott has won this race three times in recent years and it’s worth having something on all three of his runners, particularly Jazzy Matty. For various reasons, this half-brother to Delta Work hasn’t managed to show his full ability yet. He is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time here and the booking of 3lb claimer Michael O’Sullivan is a big help.

Gary Moore is another trainer who has a good handle on juvenile form and he has admitted he is sweet on the chances of Perseus Way. His most recent effort, a second placing behind Joseph O’Brien’s Nusret at Kempton, is very strong form as he was giving the winner 3lb.

SELECTION: JAZZY MATTY. ALTERNATIVE: PERSEUS WAY

5.30 NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES’ CHASE

Gaillard Du Mesnil could be miles better than the rest of these but even-money is too short a price when there are 23 fences to be jumped. Mahler Mission looks a very solid each-way bet. He jumps, he stays, he is improving and he will love the soft ground. His trainer John McConnell had originally booked Barry O’Neill for this ride but ‘Bon’ has decided instead to ride Minella Crooner for Gordon Elliott and that is probably a tip in itself.

SELECTION: MAHLER MISSION. ALTERNATIVE: MINELLA CROONER