AFTER a few weeks when racing hit the wrong headlines and too many in the sport found themselves on different side of acrimonious arguments, it’s time to leave the people and ‘punishments’ to take care of themselves and look forward to the one week where racing traditionally can hold the front pages and be proud of its place in the sporting world.

Previews, tips, analysis, opinions, there’s been more than ever before out there and if you haven’t still haven’t pored over the handicap marks, leave it for a day or two.

So here’s a personal look forward to next week, away from the ratings and figures – to the stories and horses I hope will make the walk back to the winner’s enclosure, if sadly it’s without any fanfare to welcome them.

It’s why most of us are engaged in this sport: #Fortheloveofthehorses.

Since I’ve not backed the winner of the Supreme since Menorah, and we have such a short-priced favourite against what appears weak opposition, I’ll let the virtual Festival roar get things underway and keep the powder dry. I like the look of Appreciate It, he’s got a handsome head, he’ll do for a good start for the Irish. Irascible each-way with the eight runners might be worth a play, given Willie has also has a few short ones beaten here.

The Arkle is harder. It would be nice to see a bit of a lunatic win, one who was bred for the Derby. But Allmankind freewheeling down the hill, round to the second last? Close your eyes. There's no Energumene to give him chase. Shishkin looks all class though and that’s what we want?

White-faced

The Ultima, what a pity Lieutenant Rocco misses this at the last stages.

In the Champion Hurdle it would be nice for the Moores to have better luck with Goshen but he's young, he can have another go, a lot of people seem to have forgotten the record of four-year-olds in the feel-good, one for the good guys, moments - the photo we all want on the front pages on Wednesday is Rachael and Honeysuckle.

Abacadabras brings one of those head over heart conflicts – never liked the head of him but he’s a good each-way bet. Money matters too!

The Mares’ Hurdle, I’ll be cheering for Roksana again, for the Irish small breeder. Fred Winter, never backed anything in it, never cared who won it and not this year. Bring back the novices’ handicap!

This year’s National Hunt Chase leaves me similiarly non-plussed apart from having predicted that Royal Pagaille would not win a race at the Festival. He might not now that this easier option has been passed aside. If I had to pick a trainer I’d like to see with a winner it would be Nick Gifford with outsider The Mighty Don.

Wednesday – it's very hard to get excited by theses novices, isn’t it, this year? Another small field here.

A winner for the Robcour colours would be deserved though for a return on investment.

Beauty contests

Monkfish will not win too many beauty contests but there’s always beauty in watching a very good horse.

The Coral Cup – Mullins and Cullentra (that's my reference to the former Elliott/now Foster-trained horses. Heaven Help Us would be THE story!

Chacun could be a monster horse and worthy of cheers. I’ve backed Sceau Royal for the Triumph and the Champion in his time, liking him instantly when he won at Chepstow as a juvenile six years ago. He’ll not win but it’s his fifth Festival, all in Grade 1 races, it’s horses like him who are the essence of the sport. Even minus Altior, it's a tip-top race. Politologue is a bit of a forgotten horse too.

There can only can be one popular winner of the Cross Country – Tiger Roll by a mile. It would be nice to see Some Neck run well for his syndicate and John O’Connell.

The Bumper – I’m just not convinced that this is Kilcruit’s race. Ramillies is another fine specimen – ‘hon the greys!

Thursday and we just want a round of applause for Envoi Allen and Seainín leading him back. If anyone could spoil the party and still evoke no anger it would be Mick Winters. A one-two, the new star followed by the old wise one, would be perfect! If Darver Star ran to last year’s form it could be a 1-2-3.

The Ryanair, I’m a bit ‘meh’ about Allaho even if this is his trip. Maybe we should even call him All-aho on his breeding. Min deserves this – he’s way over-priced on his best from. Melon? Going for the five in a row, defeats, that is.

The Stayers’ is all about Paisley Park for me – at his best, he is the best.

The Paddy Power Plate falls in the ‘back three on Wednesday night’ category, The Glancing Queen’s white face, which got lost in the muck in Exeter, would be a welcome winner in the Mares’ Novice but there are some nice mares here, namely the de Bromhead duo Telmesomethinggirl and Magic Daze. Skyace would be a great story too.

Exciting

Friday, you’d like Zanahiyr to be as exciting as he looked back in Fairyhouse. Remember that meeting produced a lot of Festival winners last season.

To the Gold Cup. One winner would stand above all here. For once patriotism and history are put to one side. My wish is for Native River to hold off all-comers, and leave Colin Tizzard as chuffed as chuffed can be in his last season with a trainer’s licence. never asked for rain on the Cheltenham Friday before. A win for Frodon and Bryony would also bring a bit of delight. She’s good for racing!

I wish Rachael had picked Minella Indo as that would be a stronger reason to cheer him. A Plus Tard, though he looks sure to go close, just doesn’t excite and if Willie says Al Boum Photo doesn’t stand out from the crowd, how’s anybody to get excited by him?

So, roll on Tuesday. May the lords of steeplechasing look over us for the week. Give us some feelgood winners. And a simple prayer too – may everyone come home safely.