The class act going into this field certainly is the Willie Mullins trained Sir Gerhard, the Champion Bumper winner last season at the Cheltenham Festival, and then the Ballymore this season in completely different conditions.
He has been foot perfect over hurdles this season and almost perfect in bumpers last term when losing just once at this meeting last year.
He was contesting over 2 miles on his first two starts over obstacles, before it was decided to take the step up in trip for the festival, which he certainly took in his stride, hacking up in the Ballymore by 3 and a half lengths, jumping superbly and travelling strongly to power away up the Cheltenham hill.
There were question marks leading into this festival, as to whether he would stay at the 2m4f or go back to 2 miles, and it does come as a little surprise that he does take the step back down in trip against a few out and out two milers, but he has won a Grade 1 over this trip so he can clearly do it once again.
He is the class act in the field and has the career record of 6 wins in just 7 runners, including three Grade 1’s and two Cheltenham festival wins.
He was a very good bumper horse but has been even better over the obstacles, making him very hard to beat in this contest, as he looks to land his 3rd Grade 1 of the season.
Ballymore winner last time out in the mud, completely different conditions in this but he has won similarly to this, has been one of the leading Novice Hurdlers this term, making him incredibly hard to beat in this, stepping back down to the 2-mile trip.
The one to side with.