AND so we come to the zenith of the whole festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) and unlike last year I am hoping that the majority of jockeys will not play into the hands of A Plus Tard by turning this into a relative sprint.

Yes, it was a great performance by the De Bromhead runner, but they simply set the race up for him and I suspect this time around, on possibly deeper ground and with a better gallop, this will be more of a test of stamina than 12 months ago.

I fancy a much better run from Protektorat after he blew out in the Cotswold Chase but after the race Dan Skelton held up his hands and said that he just didn’t have him fighting fit and there should be little between him, the running-on Noble Yeats and the winner Ahoy Senor.

The last named is finally finding his feet and fulfilling his potential from his novice hurdle days and granted a clear round the Scottish raider is bound to be involved with his huge engine.

But at the prices and granted the heavy rain comes to fruition on Thursday I think that 50/1 shot ROYAL PAGAILLE could well be placed. He was one of those runners that was hugely compromised by the pace 12 months ago and yet still managed to finish fifth.

He has had a rather stop-start season but I wonder if that will work in his favour and I imagine that he will arrive here as the freshest horse and his bottomless stamina looks sure to be a potent weapon this year.

The opening Triumph Hurdle at 1.30 looks a Willie Mullins’s benefit as he has the first three in the market place. Many will fancy Lossiemouth to reverse Leopardstown form with fellow filly GALA MARCEAU (nap).

But I thought that the selection took a big step forward that day and that the runner-up had a hard enough race.

I think a bigger danger could well be Blood Destiny who is two from two in his career to date.

He needs to up his hurdling to land the hat-trick here, but he is sure to have been well schooled since his 18-length romp at Fairyhouse and could literally be anything. However, he will have to be something special to give 7lbs to the fillies.

The Spa Novices’ Hurdle at 2.50 is going to be a real stamina test for these young horses and with 20 set to go to post it could be a case of last man standing.

After the first few days it is clear to see that the Irish novices are head and shoulders above their British counterparts and they are likely to dominate here.

The more testing the ground becomes the better the claims of Three Card Brag, but Gordon Elliott’s charge has been found in the market. If we don’t get the forecast rain then Favori De Champdeau has solid claims and the same remark would apply to Grade Three winner Monty’s Star. 

However, at the prices I would much rather hang my hat on WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT (nb).

Nigel Twiston-Davies took a bold move to send him over to Ireland, but he merely set the race up for his seven rivals and possibly found the ground a bit on the fast side.

Both his point to point wins came with a lot more dig and stepping back up to three miles could easily see him bounce back under Sam.

If she manages to keep straight while jumping her obstacles, ALLEGORIE DE VASSY has the biggest engine by far in the Mares Chase at 4.50.

But with that doubt about her fencing I shall also be having a saver on Zambella who looks way too big at around 20/1.

Finally, in the two big handicaps I shall be investing each-way on PINKERTON in the County Hurdle at 2.10 and IRISH HILL in the Martin Pipe at 5.30.