Rest of Cheltenham

the card starts with the Supreme Novice Hurdle at 14.30 CET, which looks wide open with at least a dozen serious contenders. Galileo´s Choice (Dermot Weld/ Robbie McNamara) and Steps to Freedom (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power) look the best of the powerful Irish contingent, while Alan King seems very confident about the chances of his Montbazon (Robert Thornton). The Arkle, a novice chase over 2 miles at 15.05, has only 6 runners, but this is still a very select field. Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) is the clear favourite ater winning all 3 starts this season in impressive style, but it should not be forgotten that he was beaten here by Al Ferof (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), while Cue Card (Colin and Joe Tizzard) and Blackstairmountain (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend are also not out of it.

The cross-country at 17.00 could go to last year´ s winner Sizing Australia (Harry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch), but CD specialist Garde Champetre (Enda Bolger/ Nina Carberry), although getting long in the tooth, also has a good chance. The other handicaps look very difficult, but our 3 against the field at 15.40 are The Package, Quantitateveeasing and Billie Magern, and at 18.15 Mics Delight, Bless the Wings and Carrickboy.