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Man On The Spot (SL) previews day three of the Cheltenham Festival and makes Johns Spirit his best bet on the card.


1.30 JLT Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

This has cut up a little with a few no doubt frightened off by the presence of VAUTOUR. Successful in last year's Supreme Novices', Willie Mullins' charge also won over 2m4f at Punchestown later so stamina isn't an issue and his only blip so far over fences was when he made a bad mistake in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown just after Christmas and was unable to make up the ground lost. If he puts in a clear round, he should have too much speed for these. Stablemate Valseur Lido was well behind in the Supreme Novices' but has also taken well to fences. However, he was turned over by Apache Stronghold at Leopardstown last time in a race in which The Tullow Tank was only fourth. Noel Meade's charge may be the danger as Ptit Zig possibly lacks the scope of some of these and took a heavy fall last time at Ascot. Colour Squadron is one of the most frustrating horses in training but he has bags of ability and it would be no surprise to see A P McCoy urge him into a place at decent odds.


2.05 Pertemps Network Final (Listed Handicap Hurdle)

There are 16 qualifiers for this throughout the season but only once has a horse who has won one of those gone on to take the final. However, it was difficult not to be impressed by Regal Encore's victory at Exeter and connections appear to have found his best trip. The presence of A P McCoy in the saddle will ensure support. David Pipe runs four and habitual front-runner Bygones Sovereign will ensure a strong pace. He's on a hat-trick but may be too high in the weights now. Subsequent Grand National winner Pineau De Re and Trustan Times were both placed in this last year with On The Bridge sixth. Tim Easterby's charge comes out best of that trio today at the weights today but EDEYMI looks better handicapped. Tony Martin's gelding looks to have been laid out for this after his staying-on fourth behind Dawalan and Run Ructions Run under a claimer at Musselburgh last time. The quicker ground is a huge factor in his favour and he's run well before at The Festival. The Tourard Man is a stout stayer who will enjoy the likely fast gallop. He is weighted to reverse Exeter running with Regal Encore but quicker conditions are a concern. Katkeau has bags of ability but is a weak finisher and the handicapper may have got to Join The Clan. Big Easy should be thereabouts, however, and Call The Cops stormed home over this trip at Doncaster 12 days ago and could go close under his penalty.

2.40 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

Balder Succes jumped well in the main when beating Ma Filleule and Ballycasey in the Ascot Chase last month but has yet to complete in three previous visits to Cheltenham and is generally better in small fields. Don Cossack is the big Irish hope having won his last four. He won a Grade 1 on good going at Leopardstown in December and may still be improving, though took a heavy fall in the RSA Chase here last year and this is a race in which those that have gone well at the course previously thrive. Taquin Du Seuil, Uxizandre and Double Ross fought out the finish of the JLT Chase on this card 12 months ago with Wonderful Charm back in fifth. None of that quartet can be ruled out, though all have been a bit disappointing this campaign. Taquin Du Seuil's stablemate JOHNS SPIRIT (NAP) is preferred, therefore, given he's a real Cheltenham specialist racing back over his best trip. The King George has proved a surprising useful guide for this in the past and Richie McLernon's mount ran well in the Kempton showpiece until his stamina ran out. He still finished ahead of Wonderful Charm and Wishfull Thinking failed to finish. Eduard has never really realised his potential but last year's runner-up Hidden Cyclone is a danger if back to his best.


3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)

No five-year-old has ever won this so Abyssial and last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll are facing stiff tasks. Jetson is a regular at The Festival and beat the brilliant Quevega as well as last year's third At Fishers Cross and Reve De Sivola in a Grade 1 at Punchestown last year. Monksland, the disappointing At Fisher's Cross, Dedigout and Zaidpour were also behind when he finished second to Lieutenant Colonel in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last time but the 10-year-old may struggle to overturn that form with Sandra Hughes' improving stayer, who looks the pick of the Irish runners. However, this is one race in which the home team tends to hold sway and that may be the case again. WHISPER won last year's Coral Cup and went on to beat At Fisher's Cross and Zarkandar in a Grade 1 at Aintree. He has had just the one run this season, over fences, so will be fresher than most and wouldn't be the first two land this after failing to take to the larger obstacles. Saphir Du Rheu, who runs in the same colours as the all-conquering Big Buck's, has a similar profile to the selection and will be a big danger on his defeat of Reve de Sivola, Un Temps Pour Tout and Cole Harden in the Cleeve Hurdle - the fifth won easily over fences here on Tuesday.

4.00 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)

This is a race which tends to favour those nearer the bottom of the handicap so Nicky Henderson may be out of luck saddling three out of the top four in the weights, though Hunt Ball and Rajdhani Express are both former Festival winners. Buywise goes well here and Evan Williams has done his utmost to protect his handicap mark this season by campaigning him largely over fences. He should go well and Caid Du Berlais won the Paddy Power here in November, though is 8lb higher. Monetaire won over 2m1f at Newbury in November and has been rested since. He stays this longer trip and has been well backed ante-post but there has only been one single-figure odds winner of this since the turn of the century, though that was also trained by David Pipe. ATTAGLANCE is still a maiden over fences but has a first and a second to his name at The Festival and this is his time of year. He's still high enough in the weights but has dropped a little lately and it would be no surprise to see him in the firing-line again if getting the run of the race. Burn And Turn, second to Road To Riches in the Galway Plate last year, could be the pick of the Irish if the ground continues to dry out.


4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Spring Heeled's victory last year was Ireland's first in this in more than 30 years but they'll have high hopes of a quick double with Gold Bullet. Crack amateur Derek O'Connor is on board but he does have his stamina to prove and there are similar concerns surrounding a whole host of his rivals including Garrahalish, Champagne James, Ericht and Heaney. Guess Again has a lengthy absence to overcome and The Nephew and Bless The Wings are also returning from a break while Tap Night seems to take one step forward and two back and could also run out of steam on the final circuit. Jamie Codd rode the winner of the four-miler here on Tuesday and could get a tune of THE PACKAGE, who has been placed at the last two Festivals off higher marks. He's in the veteran stage now but this tends to be a race for the more experienced chasers. Will Biddick is a good booking for Just A Par and he can reverse Exeter running with Masters Hill on 11lb better terms. Paul Nicholls' charge looks a solid each-way selection and the handicapper is starting to relax his grip on Vintage Star, though he's not fared too well here in the past.