(R1) 12:40 CHELTENHAM, 2m 179y Jcb Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (grade 2) (registered As The Finesse) (Class 1) (4YO only) 1 21312 ADJALI (GER) 30 D BF b g Kamsin Anabasis 2 11 NELSON RIVER 42 CD b g Mount Nelson I Say 3 33231 DOGON 82 b g Intello Poppets Sweetlove 4 4264F1 FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES (FR) 21 b g Kapgarde Niagaria du bois 5 7144 FINE BRUNELLO (FR) 31 b g Al Namix Sweet Brune 6 412 FUKUTO (FR) 21 b g Cokoriko Hargaux De Saisy 7 121 OUR POWER (IRE) 38 D b g Power Scripture 8 PAGERO (FR) b g Nathaniel Pagera 9 2U PROTEKTORAT (FR) 42 BF b g Saint Des Saints Protektion 4 11 5 D A Jacob 4 11 3 Harry Bannister A W Carroll 4 11 0 Bryony Frost 4 11 0 J J Slevin Joseph P O'Brien 4 11 0 B J Geraghty Joseph P O'Brien 4 11 0 T Scudamore D G Bridgwater 4 11 0 Tom Cannon A King 4 11 0 R P McLernon Jonjo O'Neill 4 11 0 Harry Skelton ATR VERDICT: ADJALI sets a decent standard on the evidence of his second to Quel Destin in the Finale at Chepstow and despite having to give weight to all of his rivals, he can cement his claims as a leading hope for the Triumph Hurdle. Protektorat was fancied to deliver on his UK debut over C&D in December before unseating his rider in a contest won by Nelson River. Dan Skelton's gelding warrants respect providing his jumping improves, while impressive Newbury victor Our Power represents a yard that does extremely well with juveniles. 147 135 135 (R2) 13:15 CHELTENHAM, 2m 4f 127y Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5YO plus) 1 235714 SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE) 57 b g Darsi Lucy Walters 2 212143 HIGHWAY ONE O ONE (IRE) 30 br g Stowaway High Accord 3 251921 KILDISART (IRE) 35 D b g Dubai Destination Princess Mairead 4 724031 AZZERTI (FR) 36 b g Voix Du Nord Zalagarry 5 112P12 FIRST DRIFT 24 ch g Generous Supreme Cove 6 222324 DENTLEY DE MEE (FR) 42 b g Lauro Natty Twigy 7 516656 ONEFORTHEROADTOM 20 gr g Fair Mix Ifni du Luc 8 220322 ENOLA GAY (FR) 21 b g Fuisse Enolaland 7 11 12 Harry Skelton 7 11 9 Tom Cannon C Gordon 7 11 7 D A Jacob Ben Pauling 7 11 3 R Johnson A King 8 10 10 Max Kendrick (5) B I Case 6 10 9p Chester Williams (7) 6 10 6 R P McLernon Harry Fry 6 10 0 James Bowen Miss V Williams ATR VERDICT: KILDISART has shown a high level of form on both his chasing starts at Ascot and his win last time suggested that he can continue to progress over the larger obstacles. Spiritofthegames was outclassed behind La Bague Au Roi at Newbury at the end of November but he can be more competitive back in handicap company. Highway One O One is yet to tackle further than an extended 2m1f under Rules but is an interesting contender, as is recent Ascot scorer Azzerti. Top Tip: KILDISART (3) Watch out for: SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (1) 146 143 141 137 130 129 126 120 Top Tip: ADJALI (1) Watch out for: PROTEKTORAT (9)
(R3) 13:50 CHELTENHAM, 2m 4f 127y Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 1 083212 ACTIVIAL (FR) 35 gr g Lord Du Sud Kissmirial 2 821112 JANIKA (FR) 35 BF b g Saddler Maker Majaka 3 06225U SIZING PLATINUM (IRE) 21 b g Definite Article Quest Of Passion 9 11 12 T Scudamore 6 11 11 D A Jacob 11 11 10t R M Power 151 150 149 4 3/331P4 OLDGRANGEWOOD 287 b g Central Park Top Of The Class 8 11 6t Harry Skelton 145 5 422210 WAR SOUND 42 b g Kayf Tara Come The Dawn 6 9P8213 BALLYHILL (FR) 25 CD b g Al Namix Laly Light 7 500221 BRELAN D'AS (FR) 35 b g Crillon Las De La Croix 8 P11311 SIRUH DU LAC (FR) 50 b g Turgeon Margerie 9 7189U3 CASSE TETE (FR) 14 D b g Poliglote Ellapampa 10 111P15 FOREST DES AIGLES (FR) 49 D b g Balko Rose des Aigles 11 F221F1 THE KINGS WRIT (IRE) 37 b g Brian Boru Letterwoman 10 11 6 R Johnson P J Hobbs 8 11 5 J Nailor (7) N A TwistonDavies 8 10 11ht B J Geraghty 6 10 9 Lizzie Kelly (3) 7 10 9 Joshua Moore G L Moore 8 10 8t D R Fox Miss Lucinda V Russell 8 10 6 James Best Kayley Woollacott 145 144 136 133 131 ATR VERDICT: Janika made an encouraging UK bow when chasing home an onsong Hell's Kitchen at Ascot, and Nicky Henderson's gelding can only improve for the experience. That said, he is 5lb higher and will need a careerbest performance against some progressive rivals. Siruh Du Lac has kept on improving, winning four of his last five outings, and warrants plenty of consideration up in grade. Ballyhill has Jordan Nailor's 7lb claim following a fine effort over C&D on New Year's Day and is likely to be thereabouts, but the vote goes to FOREST DES AIGLES. Lucinda Russell's charge caught the eye when travelling well over the big fences in the Grand Sefton, and a more patient ride on this occasion can see him reap the rewards. Top Tip: FOREST DES AIGLES (10) Watch out for: JANIKA (2)
(R4) 14:25 CHELTENHAM, 3m 1f 56y Betbright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 1 350121 FRODON (FR) 42 C b g Nickname Miss Country 2 133121 ELEGANT ESCAPE (IRE) 30 b g Dubai Destination Graineuaile 3 332671 VALTOR (FR) 35 b g Ut*nidor Jossca 4 311214 TERREFORT (FR) 76 D BF gr g Martaline Vie De Reine 5 1P317P ALLYSSON MONTERG (FR) 31 b g Network Mellyssa 6 U2/4P4F MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) 356 C b g Shirocco Petralona 7 11 6t Bryony Frost 7 11 4 T J O'Brien 10 11 4 James Bowen 6 11 3 D A Jacob 9 11 0tp1 J J Burke Richard Hobson 9 11 0t R P McLernon Jonjo O'Neill ATR VERDICT: Frodon has had a wonderful season to date, with big handicap successes in the Old Roan and Caspian Caviar Gold Cup backed up by a fine runnerup effort in the BetVictor Gold Cup. However, Paul Nicholls' gelding has to give weight all round and has stamina to prove so can be opposed with ELEGANT ESCAPE, who won the Welsh National and will be suited more by the demands of the New Course compared to his third on the other track in the RSA at the Festival here. Valtor made a spectacular start for Nicky Henderson when taking apart a competitive handicap field at Ascot and more than warrants his place in this company, but stable companion Terrefort is on a factfinding mission having had excuses for a disappointing return behind the selection at Sandown in November. Top Tip: ELEGANT ESCAPE (2) Watch out for: VALTOR (3) 169 159 160 158 141 155 (R5) 15:00 CHELTENHAM, 2m 4f 56y Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 1 231321 JARVEYS PLATE (IRE) 25 CD ch g Getaway She's Got To Go 2 11 BIRCHDALE (IRE) 44 b g Jeremy Onewayortheother 3 1/1414 BREWIN'UPASTORM (IRE) 28 b g Milan Daraheen Diamond 4 111 BUSTER VALENTINE (IRE) 35 b g Ask Femme Du Noir 5 152621 NOT THAT FUISSE (FR) 17 b g Fuisse Edelmira 6 4373 THE WOLF (FR) 28 ch g Kapgarde Ges 6 11 10 P J Brennan 5 11 5 B J Geraghty 6 11 5 R Johnson Olly Murphy 6 11 5 L P Aspell Ruth Jefferson 6 11 5 Harry Skelton 5 11 5 D A Jacob W Greatrex ATR VERDICT: Brewin'upastorm boasts a nice level of form after his fourth in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury, although he does look keen and needs to mature in order to fulfil his obvious potential. Buster Valentine remains unbeaten but will need to take his form to a new level, while Not That Fuisse and The Wolf could find things happening too quickly. Birchdale had been a talking horse for a while before winning at Warwick in December, but he looks short enough in the betting and can be taken on with JARVEYS PLATE. Second to Tolworth hero Elixir De Nutz here last month, he took his form to a new level when upped to this trip on New Year's Day, beating a wellregarded type by 13 lengths, and if he performs to his official rating of 143, he will prove tough to stop. Top Tip: JARVEYS PLATE (1) Watch out for: BIRCHDALE (2) 143 140 129
(R6) 15:35 CHELTENHAM, 2m 7f 213y Galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 1 721249 AGRAPART (FR) 35 CD b g Martaline Afragha 2 2111U3 LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA) 36 CD ch g Hard Spun Layounne 3 712011 MIDNIGHT SHADOW 25 C b g Midnight Legend Holy Smoke 4 220111 PAISLEY PARK (IRE) 35 D b g Oscar Presenting Shares 8 11 6 Lizzie Kelly 8 11 6p Bryony Frost N B King 6 11 6 Danny Cook Mrs S J Smith 7 11 6 Aidan Coleman Miss E C Lavelle 156 153 158 156 5 1153 UU SAM SPINNER 35 D b g Black Sam Bellamy Dawn Spinner 7 11 6p Joe Colliver Jedd O'Keeffe 162 6 23031F UNOWHATIMEANHARRY 35 CD b g Sir Harry Lewis Red Nose Lady 7 323152 WHOLESTONE (IRE) 25 CD BF br g Craigsteel Last Theatre 8 122133 BLACK OP (IRE) 25 D br g Sandmason Afar Story 9 1428/51 AUX PTITS SOINS (FR) 25 CD gr g Saint Des Saints Reflexion Faite 10 374216 AYE AYE CHARLIE 42 BF b g Midnight Legend Trial Trip 11 95U THE MIGHTY DON (IRE) 35 CD ch g Shantou Flying Answer 12 6P3P52 WEST APPROACH 35 b g Westerner Ardstown 11 11 6tp B J Geraghty Harry Fry 8 11 6 D A Jacob N A TwistonDavies 8 11 3t N D Fehily 9 11 0 Harry Skelton 7 11 0t1 P J Brennan 7 11 0p L P Aspell N J Gifford 9 11 0 T Scudamore 157 157 152 149 140 150 154 ATR VERDICT: Agrapart won this last year but faces completely different ground conditions, while 2017 scorer Unowhatimeanharry isn't quite the force of old. Sam Spinner hasn't performed so far this term, and Wholestone's best career efforts have come over lesser distances. Black Op is an intriguing contender back hurdling and finished second here behind Samcro in the Ballymore, but Aux Ptits Soins only won a handicap last time and needs to improve. Midnight Shadow isn't a surefire stayer so the safest option could be PAISLEY PARK, who has won over 3m the last twice and is taken to supplement his Long Walk triumph. Top Tip: PAISLEY PARK (4) Watch out for: MIDNIGHT SHADOW (3)
(R7) 16:10 CHELTENHAM, 2m 179y Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4YO plus) 1 392233 CHTI BALKO (FR) 35 br g Balko Ina scoop 2 546101 EQUUS AMADEUS (IRE) 42 D b g Beat Hollow Charade 3 334143 CHAMPAGNE CITY 43 ch g Tobougg City of Angels 4 06F086 JOHN CONSTABLE (IRE) 14 D b g Montjeu Dance Parade 5 10547P STORM HOME (IRE) 31 br g King's Theatre Miss Mayberry 6 126 DEMOPOLIS (FR) 21 b g Poliglote Princess Demut 7 350312 OUR MERLIN 21 b g Pasternak Lorgnette 8 332U62 FLASHING GLANCE 16 b g Passing Glance Don And Gerry 9 313241 FLASH THE STEEL (IRE) 28 D b g Craigsteel Anna's Melody 10 713122 NELSON'S TOUCH 49 gr g Mount Nelson Lady Friend 11 81FP93 MAQUISARD (FR) 30 D ch g Creachadoir Gioiosa Marea 12 132F4 BENNY'S BRIDGE (IRE) 31 D BF b g Beneficial Wattle Bridge Long Handicap: Benny's Bridge 9 13 7 11 12 W T Kennedy D McCain Jnr 6 11 3 Aidan Coleman Tom Lacey 6 11 0 J J Burke 8 11 0t Conor Ring Evan Williams 7 10 12 T Scudamore 5 10 10 B J Geraghty P J Hobbs 7 10 7 Stan Sheppard (3) Robert Walford 6 10 7 R Johnson Tom Lacey 7 10 5t Harry Skelton 6 10 5 T J O'Brien J W Mullins 7 10 2 Harry Reed (3) C Gordon 6 10 0 P J Brennan 146 137 132 130 127 127 122 120 ATR VERDICT: Flash The Steel showed a nice attitude to score at Doncaster and should go well off just 5lb higher, while Equus Amadeus also struck at Town Moor last time out and will appreciate the drying ground. Our Merlin might just be held by the handicapper and similar sentiments apply to Champagne City, who was third here on his reappearance behind Betfair Hurdle favourite Al Dancer. At the prices, NELSON'S TOUCH is worth a chance. Second the last twice in competitive heavyground handicaps at Sandown, the return to better conditions should suit and this progressive sixyearold remains fairly treated off a mark of. Top Tip: NELSON'S TOUCH (10) Watch out for: FLASH THE STEEL (9)