Il Est Francais can gallop his rivals into submission in the Ryanair Chase, one of the highlights on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.
The seven-year-old was a Grade One hurdles winner in France but first came to the attention of British racegoers when making every yard of the running to lift the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton in 2023.
A Festival run never really looked likely last term and when he pulled up in an Auteuil Grade One in November, it looked as though the dream might already be over again.
However, Il Est Francais roared back from that wobble by again setting a searing pace in the King George back at Kempton on Boxing Day, only to just be outstayed by Banbridge, finishing 1.75-lengths back in second after a costly mistake at the last.
Better ground clearly suits him well and while Cheltenham's undulations are an unknown factor, the extended 4000m trip could well be perfect for him.
Fact To File is the stumbling block, but given he won a slow-ground Brown Advisory Novices' Chase last year, he might just find Il Est Francais' pace a touch too much.
Teahupoo has followed the same route as last year as he defends his Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle title.
Gordon Elliott's charge won the Hatton's Grace before triumphing at Cheltenham 12 months ago, negating a narrow defeat as favourite for the Stayers' in 2023.
Teahupoo found Lossiemouth too good in his Hatton's Grace return this term, but there is no shame in being beaten just under 4 lengths by a speedier rival who was also in receipt of 7lb.
Sixandahalf made quite a splash on her only start to date over obstacles and can now take a swift leap in level in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
The five-year-old was a bumper winner at the Punchestown Festival last April before going on to score twice on the Flat, including a competitive fillies' handicap at Newmarket in August.
She signed off under that code with a close-up third in the Irish Cesarewitch, with the form enough to see her well supported when making a winning hurdles bow at Fairyhouse in January.
The form is not exceptional but Sixandahalf could do little more than win by a comfortable 12 lengths, with seemingly plenty still to come.
Moon D'Orange registered his first fences success at Cheltenham on his latest run and despite a 4lb rise, he is still one for the shortlist in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Having twice finished in the places at Prestbury Park, he prevailed by just a short head in a premier handicap after getting the final obstacle all wrong, doing just enough to take the win.
Back over the same extended 4000m here, Moon D'Orange could offer some value with good ground a positive factor.
Doddiethegreat is worth a small interest in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle after finishing second on his first attempt at 4800m last time.
That marked something of a return to form after two pulled-up runs, but he is on a fair mark with staying trips perhaps now his forte.
Jagwar has won three of his four fences starts and can further augment those figures in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase.
Trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero also had the choice of the novice heat on this card, so the hint should be taken as they opt to tackle full company.
Midnight Our Fred is the pick in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase after a cracking run at Leopardstown over Christmas.
The winner, Perceval Legallois, is among the leading Grand National contenders following a subsequent hurdles win while fourth-placed Nick Rockett is also on the Aintree after two trial wins, giving the form a pleasing weight. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips.
HEXHAM: Race 1: 15.05 Am Still Here, Race 2: 15.42 Freedom Day, Race 3: 16.22 Low Mileage, Race 4: 17.02 Breeze Of Wind, Race 5: 17.42 Saint Malinas, Race 6: 18.22 Hermes Boy, Race 7: 19.00 Clovis Boy.
CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 15.20 Sixandahalf, Race 2: 16.00 Moon D'Orange, Race 3: 16.40 Doddiethegreat, Race 4: 17.20 IL EST FRANCAIS (NAP), Race 5: 18.00 Teahupoo, Race 6: 18.40 Jagwar, Race 7: 19.20 Midnight Our Fred.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 18.50 Eva Rosie, Race 2: 19.30 Ana Emaraaty, Race 3: 20.00 Frankies Dream, Race 4: 20.30 Camino Del Ray, Race 5: 21.00 So Quiet, Race 6: 21.30 Castan, Race 7: 22.00 Rebel Empire, Race 8: 22.30 Odd Socks Havana.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 19.05 Almodavar Del Rio, Race 2: 19.45 Karakula, Race 3: 20.15 Just Ten High, Race 4: 20.45 Existent, Race 5: 21.15 King's Code, Race 6: 21.45 Solanna, Race 7: 22.15 Star Pupil.
DOUBLE: Il Est Francais and Teahupoo (Cheltenham, Races 4 and 5).