THE LESSONS TO LEARN

PREVIOUS course form is an advantage at any track but that statement is particularly true at Cheltenham. The races are generally run at a strong gallop and runners need to get into a rhythm with their jumping. Some take to it, and some do not.

Past hurdling form at the course is a bonus for embryonic novice chasers, and the ability to handle the undulations of the track is crucial.

There are several other races from this meeting last year that worked out well. Sunday’s mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase may not be a Graded race in name, but Threeunderthrufive and Does He Know, the first two home, captured three Grade 2s between them later in the campaign. Both had proved their suitability to the course over hurdles.

Thistlecrack also won the same race in 2016 two starts before securing a historic

King George success as a novice as well.

The Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Hurdle also fared well with five of those beaten by Gowel Road collecting good races later in the season. That included Irish raider and sixth-home Good Time Bobby, who bagged a rare handicap double at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and the Dublin Racing Festival.

The final mention is for Friday’s Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Blazing Khal and Gelino Bello were among the best staying hurdlers around last season, and filled the first two places en route to following suit in the track’s Albert Bartlett trial in December.