Changing of the guard expected as youngsters take centre stage

The Cheltenham Festival was first staged 100 years ago and few have been as widely anticipated as this week’s extravaganza at Prestbury Park.

As ever, Friday’s Gold Cup takes centre stage and sees previous winners Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander return to lock horns once more.

There are question marks surrounding each of these old warriors, though.

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Kauto Star looked a shadow of his imperious best when losing his King George crown at Kempton.

Denman’s honourable third in the Hennessy was the only time he has been seen on a racecourse this term and he has had a wind operation since, while Imperial Commander has also made just the one appearance, with a setback keeping him on the sidelines since a taking performance in Haydock’s Betfair Chase.

A changing of the guard is expected in many quarters and with Diamond Harry a late defector through injury, Long Run carries the primary hopes of the young brigade.

Nicky Henderson’s French import was in danger of becoming the most over-hyped horse in training after managing only third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but he slayed the mighty Kauto Star in the King George in the style of an awesome prospect and if he can put to bed doubts surrounding his ability to act at Cheltenham – he disappointed in last year’s RSA Chase – he could enable Sam Waley-Cohen to become the first amateur jockey to win the race since Jim Wilson on Little Owl in 1981.

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Henderson was dealt a major blow on the eve of the Festival when Binocular was ruled out of what promises to be a cracking Champion Hurdle.

Donald McCain’s Peddlers Cross puts his unbeaten record on the line, and he had Binocular back in third when winning the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newbury.

Many Irish eyes will be on Hurricane Fly, who has missed the last two Festivals but has looked without peer in his native land this term, coming here on the back of four straight Grade 1 successes.

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Menorah made it three out of three at the track when scoring in December, and with the likes of Khyber Kim, Mille Chief and Dunguib also in attendance, the scene is set for what is probably goinig to be the race of the meeting.

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A couple of months ago, connections of Big Buck’s would have been forgiven for thinking their staying ace only had to turn up to collect a Ladbrokes World Hurdle hat-trick, but the race has been spiced up nicely.

The David Pipe-trained Grands Crus has graduated through the handicap ranks and threw down the gauntlet to Paul Nicholls’s dual winner when strolling home from some decent opponents in the Cleeve Hurdle.

The injury-plagued Fiveforthree returned with an effortless victory in Ireland, while he is joined from the Willie Mullins yard by the improving Mourad.

There is another classic Britain versus Ireland encounter on the cards as Master Minded and Big Zeb renew rivalry in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

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The pair have won the last three renewals of the two-mile championship between them and Master Minded appeared on the decline when only fourth to his Irish rival 12 months ago.

But he has been right back to his magnificent best in three unbeaten outings this campaign and while Big Zeb could not get to grips with Golden Silver at Punchestown on his most recent run, his previous efforts indicated he is at least as good as last year.

The Irish invariably hold the aces in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which kicks the meeting off tomorrow, but they will need to unearth something pretty special to lower the colours of Cue Card.

The 2010 Champion Bumper hero ran a blinder behind Menorah in the International, prompting Colin Tizzard to give serious thought to running his budding superstar in the Champion Hurdle itself, but the decision to keep his sights comparitively low for the time being should reap reward, both this week and in the long term.

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Malton handler Brian Ellison struck at the highest level when Marsh Warbler took the Finale Hurdle over Christmas and the son of Barathea seems to have crept under the radar ahead of the Triumph Hurdle or Supreme Novices. A decision will be made today. Either way, he still represents excellent value.

The Arkle is another with slightly less strength in depth than usual, but Medermit has developed into a smart chaser and brings high-quality hurdling form to the table – a remark that also applies to last year’s World Hurdle runner-up Time For Rupert, who deservedly heads the market for the RSA Chase.

There is sure to be plenty of surprises during the week, particularly in the handicaps, where long-term plans come to fruition, and running on decent ground following a harsh, heavy winter will also ensure the bookmakers have plenty to cheer about.

Let battle commence.