I'll kick us off for tomorrow lads:
1:30 - First Flow - Been faultless this season in the mud so the weather has been a big bonus for him. He has an extremely exaggerated knee action which would indicate to me the softer the better as far as he's concerned. I was extremely taken with him last time out at Haydock and he galloped right through the line, Haydock is the heaviest ground in the country so he should relish conditions.
1:30 - Claimantakinforgan - 4th in the Champion Bumper last season, he took the wide route the whole way and came home really strongly. I think he would prefer the ground a little better than it is likely to be. He was disappointing last time at Musselburgh, however he was seriously keen and the track wouldn't have suited. Previous time at Ascot was a really strong performance and again that was without a good gallop, I think the likely fast pace will really suit tomorrow and we already know he acts well at Cheltenham.
2:50 - Coo Star Sivola - Has run two massive races at the Festival in the past. Stepped up to 3 miles last time out on soft ground and absolutely bolted up. Lizzie Kelly taking three off will be huge for him and I think this test will really suit.
2:50 - Vintage Clouds - One of my strong fancies for the Grand National if he takes up his entry and he was running a huge race in last season's renewal before falling to from home. I think the ground this season will be a big help to him, the slightly slower pace should really suit this galloper. This is a race that really suits National sorts and that's exactly what I think he is.
3:30 - Faugheen - I'm putting my faith in Mullins with this one. He's the best horse in the race at his best, his first start this season was relentless and if he's back to that he'll take all the beating here. I fully expect Buveur D'air to win and he's a very worthy fav, but this ground can throw up the unexpected at Cheltenham. Buveur is a speed horse and this ground won't fully suit. Faugheen is an out and out galloper and if he's at his best, he could well gallop this lot into the ground, well worth the punt at this price. The addition of cheekpieces isn't something I'm overly keen on, however Mullins is a genius with first time headgear so it may well bring about some improvement.
4:50 - Mossback - Same jockey, trainer, owner as last season's winner Tiger Roll and I can see them pulling it off again. I'm a big fan of Lisa O'Neill and am happy to have her on side here in this amateurs race. Mossback has been running at a very high level this season and staying on strongly on heavy ground which indicates the step up to 4 miles should really really suit him. He will also handle the ground. He's bred to be a Grand National type and chased the highly talented Monbeg Notorious home last time out who'd previously won what looked a decent Thyestes by 11 lengths, that form is more than good enough for me to take a big interest here.
4:50 - Rathvinden - At his best he's in a different league to most of these. He was only 5 lengths behind Faugheen in his Neptune win which is phenomenal Festival form. He really handles heavy ground and has only been tried over 3 miles twice so is highly unexposed as a stayer which means this trip could bring about huge improvement. He won his first trip over three miles and was brought down in the next when travelling well. I think he goes very close.
5:30 - Barney Dwan - I've been all over this lad for a while for this. He was second off the same mark to Presenting Percy in the Pertemps last season. Presenting Percy is now fav for the RSA on Wednesday so I think this fella is chucked in at the weights. He's been aimed here all season, stays further and will handle the ground. I'd be disappointed if he wasn't bang there at the finish.
5:30 - Testify - Wasn't a horse that I had on my radar for this until the ground turned. I think this fella wants 3 miles but the stiff test on heavy ground tomorrow should be right up his street. I actually thought he'd go close in an RSA so have to take my chance on him in a handicap at the prices.
