Behrajan, who turned in his best effort to date at Ascot last month, can enhance his Gold Cup claims by taking the Pillar Property Chase over three miles and one furlong at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Under the welterburden of nearly 12 stones, the eight-year-old showed admirable battling qualities in the closing stage of that contest to beat the talented but quirky Exit To Wave by a neck.

Henry Daly has always thought the world of this relentless galloper and, if he is to be a serious Gold Cup contender in March, he must beat these rivals with authority.

Saintsaire will also be out to boost his already large reputation and this leading Triumph Hurdle hope is the one to beat in the Wragge & Co Finesse Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

Nicky Henderson's four-year-old made a highly-impressive start to his hurdles career at Newbury last month and, as he's open to plenty of improvement, can successfully negotiate this step up in grade.

The Lambourn handler can also be on the mark with Irish Hussar in the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

This dual hurdles winner created a very favourable impression on his chasing debut at Wincanton and, with the prospect of plenty of further improvement to come, can come through his stiffest test to date with flying colours.

Henderson fields two for the ultra competitive looking Ladbroke Trophy Handicap chase but neither may be good enough to deal with Martin Pipe's Horus, who should be suited by the return to this trip.

Pipe also has a strong hand for this race with both Lady Cricket and Blowing Wind, but preference is for the eight-year-old, who was outstayed over three-and-a-quarter miles last time and this less testing ground is sure to suit.

At Doncaster, Mary Reveley's Tees Components looks very interesting now returned to the three miles of the skybet.com River Don Novices Hurdle.

This smart Flat performer won in effortless fashion on his hurdles debut at Newcastle last month but was found out by the drop to two miles and the steady pace at the same course last time.

Our Armageddon, who beat the Reveley horse at Newcastle last time, looks an interesting runner in the Sky Bet Press Red To Bet Levy Board Handicap Hurdle over two miles at 3.25.

Norman Mason's runner was in the process of showing much improved form on that occasion and, although he's light on experience for a race of this nature, he's another one that could be a fair bit better than his current handicap mark. Silvertown held an entry in that race but his trainer has elected to run him in the three-furlong longer 08000 722 421 Freephone Betting From Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle and he's worth an interest.

He's better than the distance he was beaten in his last run would imply and, unless there is significant further rain, could go well at decent odds this time.

At Ayr, the best bet on the cards looks to be Krack de L'Isle, who turned in a very fluent debut success over hurdles at this course last time and is preferred to Little Sport in the opening novices hurdle at 12.50.

Altay has rarely been out of the headlines in recent weeks and he can make them again by taking the betdirect.co.uk Handicap over a mile and a half at Lingfield.

Richard Fahey's runner was impressive in two outings over middle distances and, although he's been hiked in the weights and is up again in grade, could have further improvement in him.

* Charlie Mann breathed a sigh of relief that he had given Demi Beau a Cheltenham Festival entry after seeing him make an impressive jumping debut in the first division of the Cusworth Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster yesterday.

Demi Beau was always travelling well for Noel Fehily, who eased him into the lead after the third last flight and he drew away to pass the post with six lengths to spare over previous winner Mythical King.

Demi Beau was Mann's first course winner and he and Fehily celebrated by going on to complete a 142-1 double with Motcomb Jam in the second division.

Claude Greengrass was within a whisker of landing a gamble at Catterick last week and recovered some of the losses when justifying favouritism under Tom Siddall in the skybet.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

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