Honeysuckle. Ya Beaut! Wont be many better scenes than that at any Cheltenham Festival.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Impaire Et Passe

I like the favourite in this one. Shock. Impaire Et Passe seems to be one of the bets of the meeting and the vibes from Mullins’ camp is that this horse is a monster. The unbeaten novice is three from three and notched up the Moscow Flyer over two miles in January in impressive style and looks primed to step up in trip. The going was heavy that day and his two other wins have been on soft, which is a plus seeing as the going could be soft on Wednesday, with the rain forecast on Monday and Tuesday. The people in the know are swaying this the most for me though, as everyone linked to Mullins’ yard are raving about him.

Hermes Allen can’t be disregarded and has the grade one Challow Hurdle at Newbury to his name. David Jennings of the Racing Post is sweet on him, but critics would say he hasn’t faced the same opposition in the UK.

Written two days ago: Good Land got a lot of traction on the preview circuit, especially at the price of 5/1, and it would be worthwhile seeing how Marine Nationale gets on in the Supreme before backing this one. Barry Connell holds those two strong cards and if MN runs well, Good Land will start to draw a bit of cash. His grade one success at the DRF in the Nathanial Lacy is good, but questions about the strength of that race are there, as second place finisher, Absolute Notions, was only third in a grade two hurdle in Naas a month earlier.

Finally, Tony Mullins thinks Champ Kiely is the standout, but I’d say he could be a little biased with Danny riding him…

With the MN result yesterday, I am 50/50 on who to go for in this. I’ll stick with Impaire Et Passe as that was my initial selection, but I’m not happy about it.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Sir Gerhard

Gerri Colombe is many peoples nap of the week, but I’m going to ride with Sir Gerhard on this one. The dual festival winner made the switch to chasing this season, and while he has only one run over the bigger obstacles, he is a proven performer at Cheltenham, and a stayer, winning the Ballymore last year. He is 5/1 in places and the fact that Willie has selected him as his player here, over grade one winner Gaillard Du Mesnil, has to say something. He has a big job on his hands, but at least a place looks pretty likely.

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – N/A.

HMS Seahorse, maybe. If you put a gun to my head…

Champion Chase – Energumene

Oh boy, I am all over the shop with this one. I was all over Energumene before yesterday’s results, but now I am starting to doubt myself a little again. Edwardstone clearly has the better form here, but Willie’s assistant trainer, David Casey, was so bullish about Energumene at the Boylesports preview night. Look, you could go back and forth all day on the pros and cons of both, they are both grade one winners at the festival and have bags of ability. They were both caught out the last day against Editeur De Gite, but Energumene never seemed to get into the race and then got caught flat footed. Edwardstone was caught sleeping as well, but what he did over the last to catch-up to EDG was electric. I won’t be having a bet in this, but I’ll be shouting for Energumene.

Cross Country – Delta Work

This is indeed an intriguing match-up. Last year’s winner, Delta Work, goes up against Galvin in what seems like a two-horse race. Delta Work broke the hearts of many (including me) when he pipped Tiger Roll on the line of a waterlogged cross-country course. He would be a cert to retain his title, if it weren’t for last year’s fourth place finisher in the Gold Cup. Is Gordon Elliot’s second string going to take home the spoils again or will the Gigginstown favourite prevail? I’m riding with Delta Work.

Grand Annual – N/A

No thanks.

Champion Bumper – A Dream to Share

A Dream to Share (shooting from the hip with this one).