Stick with The Real Whacker at Cheltenham

The Real Whacker can reignite his campaign with victory in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Patrick Neville's charge boasts a fine record at Prestbury Park, having won three of his four chase starts there, highlighted by last year's short-head verdict over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Festival.

However, two subsequent starts have left him with something to prove at this point - particularly his lacklustre showing when pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at this track on his reappearance, although it later transpired he was lame after the race.

The Real Whacker posted a marginally improved effort in the King George, keeping on to finish fourth, beaten 10 lengths by Hewick and coming home in front of the now-retired Frodon.

If he can run to his official mark of 162, that would put him firmly in the mix in what appears a trappy contest.

The My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase looks a more straightforward affair, with Jonbon virtually unopposable under substitute jockey James Bowen.

Nicky Henderson's charge is two from two this term, having hacked up in the Shloer Chase on his seasonal return before being made to work a bit harder in the Tingle Creek on pretty desperate ground.

With El Fabiolo an absentee in this rearranged event from Ascot, it will be disappointing if Britain's best 3200m chaser cannot triumph on his Festival prep.

Paisley Park can secure a fourth victory in the McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle after another sterling performance at Ascot last time.

Despite the fact he is now 12, Paisley Park served it up to Crambo in the Long Walk last month, going down by just a short head after a proper battle on the run to the line.

Previously second in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, Emma Lavelle's charge clearly still relishes a fight and can be relied upon to put up another good showing in what is a fascinating heat.

Love Envoi is backed to cause something of a surprise in the Unibet Hurdle.

Lossiemouth is likely to go off a short-priced favourite, but Harry Fry's mare has a more recent run to her credit, having chased home Not So Sleepy in a Sandown Grade One on heavy ground.

While her optimum distance is probably further than this 3400m affair, she did win over the trip at the 2022 Festival and the conditions of the race do favour her.

All eyes will be on Jeriko Du Reponet in the SBK Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle on an exciting Doncaster card.

Henderson's Supreme hope made a winning debut at Newbury at the beginning of December before returning to the Berkshire track for a second start, where he again ran out a comfortable winner from a couple of similarly promising types.

This is a step up in class to Grade Two company but Jeriko Du Reponet really should be winning if he is to have a live Festival chance.

Willie Mullins fields two in the SBK Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle but preference is for Ashroe Diamond over Gala Marceau.

Both are Grade One winners, but Ashroe Diamond has the benefit of a more recent run, having finished a creditable third in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle in November over an extended 4000m after racing a bit keenly.

Dropping back to 3200m here should be no issue, as she has twice placed at the minimum distance at the highest level.

Famous Bridge is a stayer on the up, with a hat-trick in his sights in the SBK Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase.

Successful at Haydock the last twice, Nicky Richards' charge has defied deep ground for both those victories but with fair form on quicker going in the past, he perhaps does not need the mud to fly to show his best. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CHELTENHAM: 14.05 Burdett Road, 14.40 Theatre Man, 15.15 Victtorino, 15.50 THE REAL WHACKER (NAP), 16.25 Jonbon, 17.00 Love Envoi, 17.35 Paisley Park, 18.10 Gidleigh Park.

DONCASTER: 13.50 Nells Son, 14.20 Ezmerellda, 14.55 Call Of The Wild, 15.30 Jeriko Du Reponet, 16.05 Ashroe Diamond, 16.40 Welcom To Cartries, 17.15 Famous Bridge, 17.50 Snipe.

FAIRYHOUSE: 15.05 Midnight It Is, 15.40 Pictures Of Home, 16.15 Jade De Grugy, 16.50 Shoot The Blues, 17.25 Magic Sadler, 17.58 Jeriko De Baune, 18.28 Argento Boy.

KEMPTON: 18.55 Alazwar, 19.30 Musical Dancer, 20.00 Parkland, 20.30 Love De Vega, 21.00 Habooba, 21.30 Max Vega, 22.00 Sumac, 22.30 Baileys Warrior.

NEWCASTLE: 18.15 King Viktor, 18.45 Wheres The Crumpet, 19.15 Gustav Graves, 19.45 Mereside Madness, 20.15 Pocklington, 20.45 Beneficiary, 21.15 Rock Opera.

UTTOXETER: 14.48 Foxey, 15.23 Joker De Thaix, 15.58 Ottoline, 16.33 Wolfspear, 17.08 Greenrock Abbey, 17.43 Grove Road, 18.18 Libor Lad.