Lacoudal can impress in Robin Cook tribute race

The £110,000 Cheltenham showpiece is a fitting tribute to a man who not only loved his horse racing, but also contributed greatly by supporting the sport both inside and outside the Houses of Parliament.

Lacdoudal is diminutive in stature, however what the grey lacks in size he more than makes up for when asked to dig deep, a vital weapon in any thoroughbred's armoury considering the hurly-burly of steeple-chasing.

Having disappointed behind today's market leader, Our Vic, for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Lacdoudal stormed back to his best with a typically gritty performance to score over three-miles at Sandown eight days ago.

The selection is such a tough individual he won't be fazed by this rapid reappearance, in fact I believe jockey Richard Johnson will be firing the six-year-old at the fences from the word go.

Johnson understands full well that because stamina is Lacdoudal's long suit, he's needs to ensure it's an end-to-end gallop, tactics which Johnson executes better than virtually any other National Hunt rider.

By the time he climbs aboard Lacdoudal, Johnson and his boss, Philip Hobbs, might already have claimed the first couple of races on the card via Fair Along and Made In Japan.

Fair Along (12.20) has been an absolute revelation of late, improving with every outing to reel off a fantastic four-timer. According to Superform's speed figures he's the pick of the juvenile hurdlers seen out this term, a conclusion part-based on his most recent Aintree fast-time success.

Made In Japan (12.55), winner of the Triumph Hurdle at the 2003 Festival, hasn't proved to be anything like that good over fences to date. Writing him off too soon would be dangerous, especially as his last two efforts entitle him to be a leading player for the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase.

Another dangerous whim is oppose Howard Johnson's raiders at the headquarters of jump racing, nonetheless his decision to despatch Bewleys Berry for the Novices' Chase might be a touch ambitious.

In opposition to Bewleys Berry, who incidentally did nothing wrong when bolting up at Wetherby last Saturday, are two of the smartest young chasers in town, Celtic Son and Albuhera (2.05).

Having won in a hack canter on his Wincanton reappearance, Celtic Son then blew a fuse with a lacklustre showing. Albuhera on the other hand came clean to collect at Newbury, a contest in which the David Jackson-owned powerhouse leapt like a gazelle throughout.

The totesport Bula Hurdle looks a one-horse race, provided Harchibald (3.15) reproduces the level of ability he achieved when runner-up to Hardy Eustace over track and trip in this year's Champion Hurdle.

It's a shame this type of valuable affair is lacking strength-in-depth, nevertheless the current dearth of top-class UK-based two-milers over timber has never been more brutally exposed than by today's mediocre line-up.

The ground is going to be bottomless at Lingfield where Stormy Skye (12.50) has the benefit of only carrying a featherweight in the ROR Handicap Chase.

Stormy Skye boasts an excellent record at the Surrey venue, including a course distance victory in October, for which he's only been hiked up a miserly 3lbs.

This game is all about not looking gift horses in the mouth, so it might be wise to have a small investment before the Official Handicapper twigs that Gary Moore's nine-year-old still has a few pounds in reserve.

Weekend readers and column followers will be right if they get a sense of dj vu about Wolverhampton-bound Desert Leader (9.00), who after receiving the nod from this quarter seven days ago did the business in style.

Trainer Mark Brisbourne is striking while the iron is hot by sending the fast-improver back under the floodlights for the betdirect.co.uk, an event in which by rights he should have little difficulty winning under a 7lbs penalty.

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