1:15 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase 2m 4f 127y

An open contest, but one in which the admirable Straw Fan Jack looks overpriced. Sheila Lewis’ gelding has run several excellent races over fences, notably when beating Ash Tree Meadow in a two mile novice here in October last year, and when fourth in both the Arkle and the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase in the spring.

He looked better than ever when chasing home Pic D’Orhy in the 1965 Chase at Ascot on his return, with the extended 2m5f trip proving just beyond him, and it may pay to forgive a very rare mis-step at the same track next time. He’s best on ground no worse than dead, and hopefully conditions are coming right for him, and he’s capable of going close if back to his best.

1:50 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 56y

A back-to-form Ahoy Senor would take this but he was very disappointing in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury where he wasn’t just let down by his jumping but backed out of things rather tamely.

He’s capable of bouncing back in the spring but does need to feel the warmth of the sun to find his best form and is best left alone as a result. The Real Whacker could be compromised by going head-to-head with last year’s winner, but if he can avoid a destructive duel then he looks the value call having shaped well under rather negative tactics in the King George.

At least that Kempton run confirmed that Pat Nevilles’ Brown Advisory winner doesn’t need to dominate, so Sam Twiston-Davies may look to tuck in behind Ahoy Senor if that horse wants to blast off.

All told, the eight-year-old looks to have solid claims on his course form, with excuses for his Paddy Power effort on soft ground. He is as game as they come and usually a most assured jumper, which can’t be said for either Ahoy Senor or Capodanno. Stay Away Fay may be his main threat, although Paul Nicholls was talking down his chances of running in the Gold Cup when the subject was broached recently.

2:25 My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

2m 62y

The defection of El Fabiolo has left the Clarence House at the mercy of Jonbon, and it’s hard to envisage defeat as main danger Editeur Du Gite was soon put in his place when taken on for the lead by Jonbon in the Schloer Chase here in November.

Gary Moore’s charge is hard to pass when given an easy lead, but he was soon backpedalling when Jonbon spoiled his rhythm there, and there is no reason why the same tactics won’t be utilised again.

If, as expected, Editeur Du Gite is knocked out of the running by Jonbon challenging him early, then the race should set up for Nube Negra to come through for second, and he offers a decent opportunity for forecast backers.

3:00 Unibet Hurdle (International Hurdle) (Grade 2) 2m 179y

The absence since last spring would normally be a worry, but it has been a conscious decision by Willie Mullins to start (and stablemate Gala Marceau) later this season, possibly as the record of four-year-old hurdlers in the autumn has not been great over the years.

It’s a ploy that certainly worked for Quevega, although her late start back in the day was predicated by injury, and it will be interesting to see if the experiment is successful. On paper it makes sense as it’s often hard for former Triumph horses to compete against older horses in their second season and giving them an extra few months to mature is unlikely to be a bad thing.

Either way, I’m not at all bothered by Lossiemouth’s lack of a recent run and she should be hard to beat in an International Hurdle (again, please dump the name, Cheltenham) lacking an established star.

3:35 McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 7f 213y

The principals in the Cleeve Hurdle are closely matched on form and it’s hard to find a bet, especially with seven runners making each-way betting unattractive at standard terms. Thankfully, plenty of firms are offering three places at a fifth of the odds, and that makes Flight Deck an attractive each-way proposition.

Deborah Cole deserves credit for improving the son of Getaway since acquiring him from the yard of Jonjo O’Neill, and he would have finished closer than a length and three quarter third of six to Dashel Drasher in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury but for being crossed by the winner approaching the final hurdle when still holding every chance.

He was an excellent third in a Pertemps Qualifier over course and distance on debut for new connections and should not be far behind Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park again based on his Newbury effort. At 16/1 and bigger, he can make his presence felt even if coming up marginally short again.

4:10 SSS Super Alloys (Classic) Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

2m 4f 56y

I must admit that my yearning for the Antrim Coast grows with each passing day, and who can blame me for feeling that way about Ireland’s second most scenic county. The horse with the same name is also on my mind, and I fancy Gavin Cromwell’s gelding to go one better than here in October when headed close home by Butch over three miles.

The better ground and drop back in trip should benefit the son of Presenting, and he looks value to overturn favourite Gidleigh Park, whose impressive Exeter win came on heavy ground.

2:05 SBK Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 128y

I’d have Gala Marceau favourite ahead of Ashroe Diamond in this contest, even with the concession of weight, and I’d not be put off in the slightest that Danny Mullins is riding. He certainly won’t be saying “after you” to Patrick here as he showed at Limerick over Christmas, and Gala Marceau ought to progress again this year, admitting that she lacks size.

She was better than ever when winning easily at Auteuil in May and that form has been franked since, so I think she’s one to view positively.

3:15 SBK Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 7f 214y

This is a tough race and I’d not be at all surprised if Cap Du Nord bounced back again having run so well in the race for the last two seasons. The bookmakers are wise to such revivals, however, and he’s priced accordingly.

I prefer the claims of Doncaster specialist Erne River at the prices as a result, and Nick Kent’s chaser is just 3lb higher than when scoring over track and trip last time, with Kent putting the return to form down to a combination of first-time cheekpieces and a return to Doncaster.

Erne River’s lifetime record at Doncaster now reads 1121, and that affinity for the track gives him an edge over many of his rivals and he makes plenty of appeal with extra places on offer.

Straw Fan Jack 1:15 Cheltenham – 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (general – 4 places)

The Real Whacker 1:50 Cheltenham – 2pts win @ 9/2 (Bet365, Hills)

Jonbon to beat Nube Negra 2:25 Cheltenham – 2pts SFC

Erne River 3:15 Doncaster – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (general – 6 places)