1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle

Sir Gino looks like one of the better betting favourites throughout Cheltenham week and he looks capable of confirming form with Burdett Road who he beat by ten lengths on Cheltenham Trials Day in January.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding is now unbeaten in three starts and given that he won on heavy ground in France, and good-to-soft in both British starts, he’s clearly versatile with regards to ground conditions.

His future probably lies over fences but he’s so far ahead of his rivals, he should have no issue justifying shorts odds in Friday’s opener.

Selection: Sir Gino

2.10 County Hurdle

Iberico Lord was an impressive winner of the Betfair Hurdle when last seen and while the handicapper has put him up 9lb for that success, he could still be well treated.

The front two pulled over six lengths clear of their rivals in that contest with Iberico Lord staying on gamely to win going away. He’s ground dependent and clearly loves soft/heavy ground so he’s not an ideal proposition from an ante post perspective but if there’s some soft in the ground on the day, expect him to be hard to beat in one of the few events that the home team have a reasonable record in.

Selection: Iberico Lord

2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

The Albert Bartlett has a particularly competitive look to it this year. However, there was plenty to like about Dancing City’s success at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and he gave the impression he could be even better this longer trip.

He was in behind Ballyburn at the Punchestown Festival last year and has progressed with each run this season, culminating in his Grade 1 success at Leopardstown. He still showed a few signs of inexperience that day, giving the impression there could be more to come and he could hardly be in better hands to continue his progression.

Selection: Dancing City

3.30 Gold Cup

Fastorslow wasn’t suited by the small field and slow fractions at the Dublin Racing Festival last time and he may just be able to reverse form with Galopin Des Champs, a rival he’s had the better of twice before.

Martin Brassil’s eight-year-old is a strong stayer at the trip and he ran a huge race at the Festival last year when chasing home Corach Rambler, form that could hardly have worked out any better. He’s won two Grade 1s since last year’s Festival and he gives the impression the unique test of the Gold Cup could suit.

Selection: Fastorslow

4.10 St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup

Its On The Line has really got his act together over fences of late, winning each of his last three starts under rules and he could have a class edge in this contest.

He idled up the straight at Naas last time when nearly caught by Billaway in the closing stages but he rallied very well and there was probably a lot more under the bonnet than it looked.

Selection: Its On The Line

4.50 Mares’ Chase

It’s hard to get away from the claims of Dinoblue. She was a Grade 1 winner at Leopardstown over Christmas and chased home El Fabiolo subsequently at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Expect her to be hard to beat back against her own sex and dropping in grade.

Selection: Dinoblue

5.30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

The final race of the week and usually a tough puzzle to solve is the Martin Pipe, a race confined to conditional jockeys but it’s a race that has been won by future stars such as Don Poli, Galopin Des Champs and Banbridge in recent times.

Geromino might be one that is worth chancing this time around. He’s struck up a really good relationship with young jockey Charlie Maggs, who will presumably ride again, and he seemed to appreciate a step back up in trip when winning at Doncaster last time.

He should go well from the front in his hat-trick bid.

Selection: Geromino

Friday’s recommend multiple

1.30 Sir Gino
2.50 Dancing City
3.30 Fastorslow
4.50 Dinoblue