Fret D’Estruval can take the curtain raiser on International Hurdle day, in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.
This is his first start since switching to Alan King's yard under the ownership of Munir and Souede. He won two of his three races in France, with his debut being brought to an end after 100 yards having clipped heels with a rival.
Looks a smart prospect.
Le Breuil has strung a few fine efforts this term, and can be hopeful on returning to the winners enclosure in the Ryman Novices' Chase.
Having won on his season reappearance - albeit in a two-runner race at Huntingdon, he was a neck second here to Count Meribel last month, and has since finished a creditable third to smart-novice and RSA fancy Santini.
Good chance for a stable in form.
Bun Doran can follow up his win around here last month, with victory in the Cheltenham Club Handicap Chase.
Tom George's 7yo was a comfortable winner in the BetVictor Handicap Chase, and comes up against formidable rivals once again.
Has a good record round this course, as does his jockey, who racked up a big-odds hat-trick a few weeks ago.
Major claims.
The big handicap of the day is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, and the field is so big we have had to nail it down to two selections; the current favourite Rather Be, and Robert Walford's Mr Medic.
Starting with Rather Be - trained by Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson, he ran an almighty race here in the Close Brothers at the Festival earlier this year, before being brought down on his return when going really well.
If avoiding traffic problems, he will surely be in with a major shout, receiving weight from both Frodon and BetVictor Gold Cup winner Baron Alco.
Mr Medic on-the-other-hand put in an extremely fluent round of jumping around Ascot three weeks ago on his first start stepping up in trip. He is up 9lb as a result but looks mightily progressive, and not to be ignored here whatsoever.
Doux Pretender is two from two this term, and can make the jump up to Grade Two company in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle trial - registered as the Bristol Novices Hurdle.
He looks a big player on his latest 2m5f win at Ascot latest, and looks highly likely to stay the three miles. Another card for the Nicky Henderson battalion, who can simply do no wrong at the moment.
Will surely be involved.
The graded action continues and ends with the Unibet International Hurdle, with several Champion Hurdle hopefuls looking to throw down their credentials to the Fighting Fifth winner Buveur D'Air.
Nicky Henderson is represented with We Have A Dream, but we have selected Silver Streak who was just denied in the Greatwood here last month. In a race with several hurdles omitted, he still ran with much credit when missing out on the hat-trick, but he is the one horse in the field clearly still on the upgrade.
Everyone loves a grey.
The final race from Cheltenham is the OLBG.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle, and Sensulano looks the one to side with here.
Noel Williams' 5yo mare has somewhat improved of late and showed terrier-like qualities when winning over 2m5f latest - also at Ascot.
Likes soft ground, so will be hoping for a bit of rain over night for optimum conditions.
