We take a look at some runners that feature at the front of the market for this year’s Cheltenham Festival

Constitution Hill - Champion Hurdle - Odds 1-4

The shortest price of all the Festival favourites in his bid for back-to-back renewals of the Champion Hurdle on day one.

He arrives unbeaten under rules and his victory in the race last year never looked in doubt, although he did stand a long way off the last and hit the top of the final flight. Bar that slight error, he’s done very little wrong in any of his races and it’s hard to oppose him, despite an interrupted preparation this time around.

Verdict: Banker

Lossiemouth - Mares’ Hurdle - Odds 4-7

A mare that’s unlucky not to have her unbeaten record intact (met trouble in running at last year’s DRF) and was impressive when winning last year’s Triumph. Arguably took her form to a new level when making easy work of the International on Trials Day and she acts on any ground. There could be even more to come from her and she’s hard to pick holes, particularly in a division as weak as this.

The one question mark is around the step up to the two mile four furlong trip but she hit the line hard last time and with decent ground likely now, this shouldn’t be too demanding from a stamina perspective.

Verdict: Banker

El Fabiolo - Champion Chase - Odds 2-5

Unbeaten over fences but can hit one occasionally and he didn’t completely convince with his jumping at Leopardstown last time. That was a fourth Grade 1 success over fences so he certainly warrants respect but he looks short at odds of 2-5 with, particularly with the likes of Jonbon and Edwardstone in opposition.

Jonbon arrives on the back of a poor run on trials day and Alan King’s Edwardstone could be more interesting at the prices having really turned his form around after a change of tactics at Newbury last time.

Verdict: Vulnerable

Sir Gino - Triumph Hurdle - Odds 8-11

A Listed Hurdle winner at Auteuil last year, he’s made a really bright start to his career, bolting up at Kempton on his debut for Nicky Henderson before making easy work of Burdett Road (who was the long-time ante post favourite for this race) on Cheltenham’s Trials Day.

He looks like a chaser in the making. He’s achieved plenty more than his rivals and he looks capable of getting favourite backers off to a winning start on Friday.

Verdict: Banker

Galopin Des Champs - Gold Cup - Odds 4-5

Last year’s Gold Cup winner who has been mightily impressive in both starts this season, following up a wide margin win over Gerri Colombe in the Savills with a revenge win over Fastorslow in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

He has a rock solid form chance but the Gold Cup usually attracts a big field and plenty can go wrong in the race. At odds on, he’s probably opposable, particularly as an ante post proposition. He’ll probably be a similar price or even a little bigger on the day.

Verdict: Vulnerable

Dinoblue - Mares’ Chase - Odds 10/11

A Grade 1 winner over fences at Leopardstown over Christmas and chased home El Fabiolo at that venue at the Dublin Racing Festival since. She’s been hugely progressive over the last 18 months and seemingly has rock solid claims back against her own sex.

She has a bit of course form having finished runner-up in the Grand Annual last year and while the step up in trip is a question mark, there’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she’s notably a half-sister to Blue Sari (a winner over this trip).

Verdict: Banker