CONSTITUTION HILL bids to regain his G1 Champion Hurdle crown here, having been absent with an injury last season. It was feared he may never race again, but he has been nursed back to full health expertly by his team. Back-to-back Graded successes at Kempton and Cheltenham have firmly cemented his position as a huge favourite for the race.

Lossiemouth supporters may feel she can get closer to the selection than she did at Kempton on this stiffer track, but there’s little doubt that Constitution Hill will be at peak fitness in March, and will likely have too many gears for her (if she even runs – she could go for the G1 Mares’ Hurdle).

BURDETT ROAD is certainly one who could pick up some place money at attractive odds. As a current 33-1 chance, the son of Muhaarar appears overpriced, following a good season thus far – a win in the competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle over course-and-distance, preceding a fine 3rd behind Constitution Hill at Kempton – and he is extremely likely to line-up. He is set to go to Wincanton for the G2 Kingwell Hurdle, before heading to the Cheltenham festival.

Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead could switch to the G1 Mares’ Hurdle, which could potentially help thin out the race. I would be keen on Anzadam – who has been impressive in two winning starts for Willie Mullins – but he is likely to head straight to Aintree over 2m4f.

Last season’s G1 Arkle Chase winner GAELIC WARRIOR could be the answer in this year’s G1 Champion Chase for Willie Mullins. He was electric that day, travelling powerfully throughout, scoring by 8-and-a-half lengths. With course form figures of 112, he is likely to show his best at this venue, despite a somewhat patchy record elsewhere.

The market leader is rightly Jonbon, who has won a pair of Grade One races this season already, but has tended to find life tougher at Prestbury Park. If he is to be toppled this term – it’s likely to be in this contest.

IL EST FRANCAIS would be a fascinating runner in the G1 Champion Chase for French-based trainers Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm. The enigmatic chaser ran a mighty second in this season’s King George VI Chase at Kempton – setting a frantic gallop throughout.

He was only just caught after the last fence that day, with the huge drop in trip a potential positive at Cheltenham. He could prove hard to catch if allowed to take his chance.

With little top-class opposition, TEAHUPOO could prove the best in a bad staying division, for the second year in-a-row. The Gordon Elliott-trained 8-year-old bounded up the Cheltenham hill to score with a little to spare last March – possibly hitting the front too soon.

He should confirm form with Home By The Lee, despite that runner being in excellent form this term.

Stablemate of the main selection, THE WALLPARK is definitely one to keep on the right side of. A huge improving type, he arrives in excellent form – having scored at this venue in handicap company, beating subsequent G2 Cleeve Hurdle winner Gowel Road.

He backed that top effort up with a fine 4th in Grade One company at Ascot, keeping on powerfully at the finish. A return to Cheltenham is likely to see improvement and he has the scope to make the step up to this standard, over this stamina-sapping distance.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can emulate Golden Miller and Best Mate by winning the G1 Cheltenham Gold Cup 3 times in-a-row. The 10-time Grade One winner firmly put second favourite Fact To File in his place at Leopardstown, scoring by 7-and-a-half-lengths.

It’s hard to see him turning that form around, especially at the scene of the selection’s greatest triumphs.

One who holds outstanding each-way credentials is GERRI COLOMBE. The 9-year-old Saddler Maker gelding was career-best runner-up in last season’s renewal – despite being hampered by a loose horse. He followed that up with a superb win in the G1 Aintree Bowl.

It appears he may have needed his reappearance effort, when 3rd at Down Royal, and it could be a blessing in disguise to arrive here a fresher horse than most.