Sir Gino was touted as one of the Festival bankers in the weeks heading into Cheltenham but he had been a brutal drifter the last few days and has been taken out now with Nicky Henderson really struggling at present. I backed MAJBOROUGH for this race at 14/1 before he ran at the Dublin Racing Festival and despite getting beat there it is looking like he will go off favourite for this now. That was his first start for 307 days and he shaped as though he’d improve tons for it. I loved the way he stuck to the task for third when headed and he only went down a couple of lengths at the line. He looks sure to go well.

Kargese was in front of the selection at Leopardstown so is one of the dangers. Storm Heart was mega impressive on debut and then finished second to Kargese last time so also has a chance on that form if improving again. The race looks a lot more open now than it did just a couple of weeks ago.

The trends suggest you want to look away from the top of the betting in the County so that’s exactly what I’ve done taking 3 against the field. My main play is definitely ABSURDE for Willie Mullins. This 6yo brings Ballyburn form to the table having finished fourth to his stablemate at the DRF last month. Obviously that form looks strong now and a mark of 138 could easily underestimate him. Confidence seems to be growing regarding his chance so it might be worth taking the 7/1 on offer as he could end up going off a fair bit shorter than that.

The second one I like is BIALYSTOK in the Rich Ricci colours. This horse did well on the Flat in France and has taken well to hurdles. He was still going well when brought down at Leopardstown last month and as long as his confidence hasn’t been knocked too much he could be capable of a bold showing. At a monster price GIN COCO might be able to run well for Harry Fry. He improved again to win at Ascot back in November and despite failing to back that up at Doncaster has been put away for this race and could bounce back off a good mark. King Of Kingsfield tops the dangers and Pied Piper is also noted.

The Albert Bartlett is a tough race to win but I was so impressed with READIN TOMMY WRONG at Naas and he shapes as though he’ll love going up in trip. He is a perfect 4-4 having won both starts over hurdles to date and with further improvement to come he could be a tough nut to crack and understandably is the pick of Paul Townend. I’m not mad about his price at 3/1 as I know how tough this race can be but I do think he is the most likely winner and I’m confident enough to put him forward as the selection.

It has a nice look to it from an each way perspective so I am going to back GIDLEIGH PARK as well. He is bred to be smart and looks to be living up to expectations showing a good attitude to make it 4-4 at this track last time. He fended off Lucky Place and that horse has run well at the Festival to frank the form. He has tons of scope and will go on improving as he gains experience. This test will suit and there is lots to like. Dancing City won at the DRF last month and is another one in with a big shout.

I love the Gold Cup both from a punting perspective and a viewing one as it is the best of the best going head to head for 3 and a quarter miles. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS was a lethal winner of this last year and despite getting beat on reappearance he has bounced back and been mega impressive the last twice so I can’t oppose. If he is at his best the rest are playing catch-up and that’s how simple it is. Even the 11/10 looks fair as he could easily go off a shade of odds-on with the amount of winners Mullins is getting.

Fastorslow is the danger according to the betting but I’m going to back GERRI COLOMBE each way and I will be covering him in the without the favourite market too. I still love this horse and he remains fairly unexposed. He was obviously thrashed by the favourite at Leopardstown but wasn’t at his best that day and could still improve. He has been given time to recover and the closer this gets the more I’m expecting a big run from him. Bravemansgame was second last year and could go well and it would be good to see King George hero Hewick give a good account of himself too.

I don’t go mad in this race with it being a Hunters’ Chase but I have had some good winners down the years and I’m keen on ITS ON THE LINE this time. He showed a good attitude to beat Ferns Lock at Down Royal and then followed up seeing off BILLAWAY by a head at Naas. That is solid form and he has since been purchased by JP McManus. Derek O’Connor rides and everything points towards another massive run.

I am also backing the latter for a place as he obviously only missed out narrowly to the favourite last time and is having his fifth run in this race having won it back in 2022. He still retains all his ability and should give his running again. Premier Magic took it last year and is another one who should get competitive.

Another race that very much revolves around the Mullins runners and the best of them seems to be DINOBLUE. This mare has thrived since finishing second in the Grand Annual here last year winning four in a row over fences before bumping into El Fabiolo at the DRF last month. That was still a big run in defeat and back against her own sex she should be extremely hard to beat under Mark Walsh. I know she is short at 11/10 but that is with good reason and she has the best form.

Stablemate Allegorie De Vassy ran well to win at Naas last month and comes here spot on so should get competitive. Limerick Lace is also very talented having won 2 of her last 3 and could be an even bigger danger. Even her second to Coko Beach in the Troytown sandwiched between those wins was a big effort so she should go well but I can’t get away from the favourite.

The Martin Pipe is always fiercely competitive and there are obviously plenty of dangers but I do think ANSWER TO KAYF is a nice bit of value at around 9/1 at the time of writing. This son of Kayf Tara has won 2 of his last 4 and kept on strongly to win at Naas last month. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of just 137 and I think that looks lenient. He carries a nice weight and comes out well on the trends. He travels strongly so I think he’ll be suited by the hustle and bustle of this race and I’m expecting a big run.

Waterford Whispers beat the selection at Fairyhouse and didn’t do much wrong when runner-up at Leopardstown so looks one of the main dangers. At bigger prices WHAT’S UP DARLING and STUZZIKINI could both go well for Gordon Elliott who targets this race. The former was a good second to Lantry Lady at Gowran and that horse has run well since and the latter was given a quiet time of it on reappearance and could be primed for this now and is huge odds.