THIS is perhaps the best betting race of the four days at the Cheltenham Festival and there are some very competitive events to have a look at, none more so than FIREFOX in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 2.00.

This former top novice hurdler has yet to really hit the heights over fences, but the key to his chance here could be the step back up in trip to two-and-a-half miles, a distance he ran over when beaten just half a length by Croke Park in the Grade One Bar One Racing Drinmore Novices Chase at Fairyhouse.

The minimum trip has been way too sharp for him, but along with the better ground here I fancy that he could be very well in off a handicap mark of just 150 with perhaps his biggest danger being the Willie Mullins-trained Asian Master under his amateur rider.

The feature race of the day is the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle at 4.00 with Teahupoo trying to defend the title he won in smooth fashion last year. However, that run came with plenty of give in the ground and that certainly will not be the case this time around. That makes him opposable with LUCKY PLACE who has looked as though a test of stamina will bring him more steps forward. There was certainly plenty to like about the way he came up the hill here at Prestbury Park when landing the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle some 70 days ago and Nico de Boinville is adamant that this extra yardage will see him improve yet again. The progressive The Wallpark could well be his biggest danger in a big field of 15.

Venusienne is a fascinating runner for Willie Mullins in the opening Ryanair Mares Novices Hurdle which kicks off the card at 1.20, but she may well need the run despite being very well regarded at home and this is probably best left to stable mate MAUGHREEN who hosed up on her hurdles debut at Punchestown and could take a huge step forward here.

Of the other races on the card my big value each-way play has to be WIN SOME LOSE SOME in the three miles of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final after absolutely dotting up in the qualifier of this event at Leopardstown. A 13lbs haul up the weights is tough, but that was his first run over three miles and there looked to be plenty more left in the locker.

The Ryanair Chase (3.20) looks at the mercy of FACT TO FILE who looks sure to benefit for this drop back in trip after chasing home the mighty Galopin Des Champs last time out in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.