NORTH-EAST business tycoon Norman Mason has tasted Grand National glory with Red Marauder, but despite a few attempts Cheltenham Festival success has eluded him.

Given the amount of money Mason pumps into the sport, it's a situation bound to change before long and Tyneandtyneagain (5.05) is well placed to redress the balance in this afternoon's Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final.

Tyneandtyneagain was plagued by minor heart problems earlier in the season, when he twice failed to get round over fences. The vets then found a cure to his ills and the seven-year-old returned with a vengeance to secure a scintillating win over hurdles at Doncaster ten days ago.

Assistant trainer and stable jockey Richard Guest was bullish about his horse prior to that race, reporting: "Tyneandtyneagain is right back to his best."

Guest, responsible for all of the day-to-day preparation of Mason's horses, was spot-on with his judgement, making Mason's decision to head for Cheltenham a formality.

There's plenty more regional interest, including Tim Easterby's Barton and Ferdy Murphy's Truckers Tavern, both worth an each-way punt in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

Truly one of the most spectacular contests on show at the Festival, the "Arkle", traditionally run at a rip-snorting pillar-to-post gallop, also contains many people's idea of the banker bet for the meeting, Seebald (2.35).

With the Pipe/McCoy team virtually impossible to keep off the scoreboard, Seebald is a typical advertisement for their partnership, having reeled off an amazing seven-timer, two achieved over track and trip.

Murphy has another couple of live prospects, most notably Hindiana (3.35) in the William Hill Handicap Chase.

The selection has been performing with credit in decent company without actually hitting top gear. To my mind the gelding is extremely well-handicapped and he and the highly-experienced Dean Gallagher must be in with a fighting chance.

Kim Bailey's fortunes have nose-dived since the glittering days of Master Oats and Alderbrook in the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.

But Bailey is bravely rebuilding a shattered career and his "Kim Muir" challenger Supreme Charm (4.30) looks just the type to put him back on the road to the big-time.

Supreme Charm's form is rock solid, including a good fourth to Grand National favourite Moor Lane last time out.

Sedgefield's executive are expecting a substantial crowd and it might prove wise to arrive with plenty of time in hand.

As far as paying the afternoon's expenses are concerned, No Gimmicks (3.35) could help top up finances, provided he is none the worse for his unfortunate tumble at Catterick.

J P McManus, whose mighty Istrabraq bids to set a record of four Champion Hurdle wins today, started the week in the best possible style when his Druid's Glen landed a gamble under Tony McCoy in the Cotswold Haylage Novices' Hurdle at Stratford.

Druid's Glen was backed from 7-1 to 4-1 before easing to 9-2 at the off, and having been handily-placed from the outset headed Jamerosier at the final flight and was driven out to have one and a half lengths to spare at the line.

Winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill, now only six short of his century for the season, was at his stable putting the final touches to his Festival raiding party, but he said: ''I don't know who backed the horse. 'J P' is here with me and it wasn't us!

''I suppose anything Mr McCoy rides is going to be backed, he is some man to have on your side you know.