Jonbon hard to oppose in Shloer return

Jonbon can pick up where he left off and start his season in a winning fashion in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.

Nicky Henderson's star eight-year-old won the contest by nearly 10 lengths last season and then remained in superb form all year, with his only loss coming by a neck in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase when jumping errors cost him dearly.

His victories included the Tingle Creek, the Melling Chase and the Celebration Chase and he now returns to action looking much the best in this Grade Two event.

Edwardstone reopposes after his second-place last term but given their differing fortunes last season it is Jonbon who looks the horse to beat.

On the same card Conflated can get back on track in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Gordon Elliott's 10-year-old has some high class form to his name but has not started his campaign in the ideal manner when unseating his rider on his seasonal debut and then beating only one horse home in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.

This race is a different question, however, and if he takes to the task he should have the ability to overcome the significant weight burden he carries compared to his rivals.

Dan Skelton's Valgrand can strike again in the Hyde Novices' Hurdle after a fantastic performance at the track's last meeting.

He is unbeaten in three runs over the smaller obstacles, with his most recent success a stunning 17-length triumph over Gale Mahler in the Grade Two Sky Bet Novices' Hurdle.

He now steps up in trip at the same level but has prior form over an extended distance and also a good 4800m point-to-point run under his belt, making him the obvious candidate on return to Cheltenham.

In the Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase it is another Henderson-trained runner who gets the nod, with Hyland the choice under stable jockey Nico de Boinville.

The seven-year-old has been making progress since switching to fences in the summer and has two wins under his belt, the most recent of which being a 15-length victory in course and distance novice last time.

That victory leaves him well-placed to follow up here, with only three rivals set to line up in the Listed event.

At Newcastle Coqolino is another horse in form who can strike while the iron is hot.

Contesting the Sign Lead Your Horse To Water Novices' Limited Handicap Chase for trainer Ben Haslam, the gelding can go one better than his last outing when beaten 0.5-lengths at Hexham. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 14.10 Lathan, Race 2: 14.45 Jimli's Island, Race 3: 15.20 Coqolino, Race 4: 15.55 Fromheretoeternity, Race 5: 16.30 Hey Brother, Race 6: 17.05 Hunters Spring.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 14.23 Stringtoyourbow, Race 2: 14.58 Lady Gwen, Race 3: 15.33 Icare Grandchamp, Race 4: 16.08 Remus, Race 5: 16.34 Typhoon Flyer, Race 6: 17.18 Barrons Land, Race 7: 17.52 Martalite.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 15.10 Plaisir Des Flos, Race 2: 15.45 Hyland, Race 3: 16.20 JONBON (NAP), Race 4: 16.55 Conflated, Race 5: 17.30 Valgrand, Race 6: 18.00 Fasol.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.25 Q Twenty Boy, Race 2: 19.00 Buttercross Flyer, Race 3: 19.30 American Gal, Race 4: 20.00 Princess Qajar, Race 5: 20.30 Street Life, Race 6: 21.00 More Than A Feelin, Race 7: 21.30 Port Noir, Race 8: 22.00 Trojan Truth, Race 9: 22.30 Starsong.

ALL TO COME: Jonbon and Valgrand (Cheltenham, Races 3 and 5).