On paper (and it rarely works out that way), our second contest is a straight fight between Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins, this time with Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes respectively.
As I write there is little between them in the betting, but once again my Irish contacts simply will not hear of defeat for the less experienced son of No Risk At All who comes here with just the one run over fences to his name when he was successful by 13 lengths at Navan.
He barely touched a twig that day and looked a natural (famous last words) but he will need a step forward to get the better of the main home challenger, who has won all three over the larger obstacles after finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle at last year’s meeting, but although he undoubtedly has the speed, I just wonder if he needs to grow a touch before he can mix it with my selection.
Daily Sport Recommended Bet 1pt Win Kopek Des Bordes 2.00pm Cheltenham 6/4 most bookmakers