For the thousands making the annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham, the big hope to get the green, white and orange flying high at Prestbury Park on day one is Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.
HURRICANE BIG HOPE FOR IRISH FLY-ER
Champion trainer Willie Mullins is enjoying another spectacular season and just getting this fragile but hugely talented seven-year-old to the two-mile showpiece will be an achievement in itself, with setbacks ruling him out of the last two renewals.
Yes, it is difficult to get a handle on the form given he has just been pummelling Solwhit each time, and the sceptics would argue Hurricane Fly still has a way to go given his old foe was only sixth in last year's Champion.
However, the faster pace and better ground at Cheltenham can only suit as he does possess potent acceleration, which combined with his slick jumping means he has all the requisite ingredients to give Mullins an overdue first win in the race.
Ruby Walsh will presumably be back in the saddle, although it should be noted Paul Townend gets on like a dream with him so jockey arrangements are not a problem.
The only other feasible challenger is Dunguib, but while he would have an each-way shout in a normal year, this is vintage stuff and it is hard to see him grabbing a place with Binocular, Menorah, Peddlers Cross and Mille Chief batting for the home team.
The traditional curtain-raiser is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and since the turn of the century, seven winners have been trained in Ireland.
Like-A-Butterfly, Back In Front and Brave Inca have all been roared home as winning favourites, but the seemingly invincible Dunguib let the side down in 2010, only managing third behind Menorah.
Providing Colin Tizzard's Cue Card turns up, it is hard to see there being an Irish market leader this time around. Zaidpour has long been touted as Supreme material but has had his bubble burst recently and would possibly be seen to better effect in the longer Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle the following day.
One to note at a price is Tommy Stack's Magen's Star, an unbeaten front-running daughter of Galileo who will get the 7lb mares' allowance and has won her two hurdle starts by an aggregate of 31 lengths. Mullins could also call on Day Of A Lifetime and So Young.
Next up is the Arkle Trophy, a race claimed by Forpadydeplasterer and most latterly Sizing Europe in the last two seasons.
Noel Meade's Realt Dubh landed the equivalent event at Leopardstown, but may find everything happening a little too quickly on better ground.
Paul Nolan's Noble Prince was second to Realt Dubh the last day, and while he could turn the tables on a quicker surface, he is a much shorter price for the Jewson which suggests he will go there.
Mikael D'Haguenet has the talent to be involved but will surely go for a stiffer test of stamina in the RSA Chase on Wednesday, where Jessies Dream, Bostons Angel, Quito De La Roque and Magnanimity give the raiders a strong hand against Time For Rupert.
The rest of Tuesday's card should yield yet another win for Enda Bolger's team in the cross-country event and although the brilliant Quevega is a banker for many as she goes for a hat-trick in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, the prolific Our Girl Salley carries the hopes of Prunella Dobbs and will not go down without a fight.
The Neptune looks a great opportunity for the away side, with Oscars Well already a dual Grade One winner for Jessica Harrington. This horse will be a tough nut to crack as he travels, jumps and has gears. Aside from Zaidpour, the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant is another with claims.
Colm Murphy's Big Zeb defends his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and given he will be much better suited by the quicker conditions than at home, he looks certain to be there or thereabouts in what could be a titanic battle with Master Minded.
Murphy was not too disappointed with his shock Tied Cottage reverse to Golden Silver, who has improved beyond all recognition this season and while unlikely to have his ground is another who should not be dismissed.
Neither should Sizing Europe if he can reproduce last season's Arkle performance. In fact, he could be a player at big odds if he can bounce off the Cotswolds terrain like he did 12 months ago.
Cue Card ended Irish dominance in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last year, but John 'Shark' Hanlon is very keen on his Star Neuville and hopes to get Tony McCoy to ride, while Allure Of Illusion appears the best of seven entries for Mullins.
A look at Thursday's highlights will tell you O'Grady's Tranquil Sea is the major hope in the Ryanair Chase, although his disappointing show in the race last year tempers enthusiasm. Golden Silver also has this as an option, one which might suit.
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle has developed into a cracking race and while it is probably destined to stay at home with hat-trick seeker Big Buck's and Grands Crus holding all the aces, the Irish opposition is mounting up.
Fiveforthree and Mourad can reward each-way support while the addition of Solwhit adds an extra dimension. Bear in mind, too, that Mikael D'Haguenet holds an entry in this, which would definitely add some serious spice to the mix.
Dermot Weld's filly Unaccompanied carries plenty of confidence in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (also in the Supreme where she would get some hefty allowances), but Pat Flynn's Louisville Lip is held in the highest regard and is the dark horse for connections that know the time of day. A line can be put through his last run as he is better than that.
It has been some time since there has been a serious Irish Gold Cup challenger and while the old guard of Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander are all to be feared they do have questions to answer and a new name could be on the trophy this year.
Irish Hennessy hero Kempes burst into the reckoning at Leopardstown and is definitely the new kid on the block for that man Mullins.
As the County Carlow maestro said afterwards, the surprises are the nicest ones of all, as he had been the stable second string until Cooldine met with a problem.
Previously thought of as smart at shorter distances, he has an excellent win ratio and seemed to see out the three miles with aplomb, cruising under David Casey and maybe even getting to the front too soon. He is open to lots of improvement and is the value against the established stars. Better ground will suit as he looks to become the first horse to do the Leopardstown-Cheltenham double since Imperial Call in 1996. McCoy could be in the saddle for his retainer JP McManus.
Pandorama has bags of talent but does not seem to be blessed with the same amount of luck, being hampered early on in Diamond Harry's Hennessy at Newbury before a setback ruled him out of the Irish Hennessy.
His win in the Lexus at Christmas confirmed his talent, but he does look a bit fragile and Meade's Cheltenham record hardly inspires confidence. That said, he delighted in a recent racecourse spin at Leopardstown and connections are starting to make the right noises.
Of the handicaps, Call The Police is a must in the Coral Cup, while Plan A has a definite chance in the Fred Winter.
HURRICANE BIG HOPE FOR IRISH FLY-ER
Champion trainer Willie Mullins is enjoying another spectacular season and just getting this fragile but hugely talented seven-year-old to the two-mile showpiece will be an achievement in itself, with setbacks ruling him out of the last two renewals.
Yes, it is difficult to get a handle on the form given he has just been pummelling Solwhit each time, and the sceptics would argue Hurricane Fly still has a way to go given his old foe was only sixth in last year's Champion.
However, the faster pace and better ground at Cheltenham can only suit as he does possess potent acceleration, which combined with his slick jumping means he has all the requisite ingredients to give Mullins an overdue first win in the race.
Ruby Walsh will presumably be back in the saddle, although it should be noted Paul Townend gets on like a dream with him so jockey arrangements are not a problem.
The only other feasible challenger is Dunguib, but while he would have an each-way shout in a normal year, this is vintage stuff and it is hard to see him grabbing a place with Binocular, Menorah, Peddlers Cross and Mille Chief batting for the home team.
The traditional curtain-raiser is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and since the turn of the century, seven winners have been trained in Ireland.
Like-A-Butterfly, Back In Front and Brave Inca have all been roared home as winning favourites, but the seemingly invincible Dunguib let the side down in 2010, only managing third behind Menorah.
Providing Colin Tizzard's Cue Card turns up, it is hard to see there being an Irish market leader this time around. Zaidpour has long been touted as Supreme material but has had his bubble burst recently and would possibly be seen to better effect in the longer Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle the following day.
One to note at a price is Tommy Stack's Magen's Star, an unbeaten front-running daughter of Galileo who will get the 7lb mares' allowance and has won her two hurdle starts by an aggregate of 31 lengths. Mullins could also call on Day Of A Lifetime and So Young.
Next up is the Arkle Trophy, a race claimed by Forpadydeplasterer and most latterly Sizing Europe in the last two seasons.
Noel Meade's Realt Dubh landed the equivalent event at Leopardstown, but may find everything happening a little too quickly on better ground.
Paul Nolan's Noble Prince was second to Realt Dubh the last day, and while he could turn the tables on a quicker surface, he is a much shorter price for the Jewson which suggests he will go there.
Mikael D'Haguenet has the talent to be involved but will surely go for a stiffer test of stamina in the RSA Chase on Wednesday, where Jessies Dream, Bostons Angel, Quito De La Roque and Magnanimity give the raiders a strong hand against Time For Rupert.
The rest of Tuesday's card should yield yet another win for Enda Bolger's team in the cross-country event and although the brilliant Quevega is a banker for many as she goes for a hat-trick in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, the prolific Our Girl Salley carries the hopes of Prunella Dobbs and will not go down without a fight.
The Neptune looks a great opportunity for the away side, with Oscars Well already a dual Grade One winner for Jessica Harrington. This horse will be a tough nut to crack as he travels, jumps and has gears. Aside from Zaidpour, the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant is another with claims.
Colm Murphy's Big Zeb defends his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and given he will be much better suited by the quicker conditions than at home, he looks certain to be there or thereabouts in what could be a titanic battle with Master Minded.
Murphy was not too disappointed with his shock Tied Cottage reverse to Golden Silver, who has improved beyond all recognition this season and while unlikely to have his ground is another who should not be dismissed.
Neither should Sizing Europe if he can reproduce last season's Arkle performance. In fact, he could be a player at big odds if he can bounce off the Cotswolds terrain like he did 12 months ago.
Cue Card ended Irish dominance in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last year, but John 'Shark' Hanlon is very keen on his Star Neuville and hopes to get Tony McCoy to ride, while Allure Of Illusion appears the best of seven entries for Mullins.
A look at Thursday's highlights will tell you O'Grady's Tranquil Sea is the major hope in the Ryanair Chase, although his disappointing show in the race last year tempers enthusiasm. Golden Silver also has this as an option, one which might suit.
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle has developed into a cracking race and while it is probably destined to stay at home with hat-trick seeker Big Buck's and Grands Crus holding all the aces, the Irish opposition is mounting up.
Fiveforthree and Mourad can reward each-way support while the addition of Solwhit adds an extra dimension. Bear in mind, too, that Mikael D'Haguenet holds an entry in this, which would definitely add some serious spice to the mix.
Dermot Weld's filly Unaccompanied carries plenty of confidence in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (also in the Supreme where she would get some hefty allowances), but Pat Flynn's Louisville Lip is held in the highest regard and is the dark horse for connections that know the time of day. A line can be put through his last run as he is better than that.
It has been some time since there has been a serious Irish Gold Cup challenger and while the old guard of Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander are all to be feared they do have questions to answer and a new name could be on the trophy this year.
Irish Hennessy hero Kempes burst into the reckoning at Leopardstown and is definitely the new kid on the block for that man Mullins.
As the County Carlow maestro said afterwards, the surprises are the nicest ones of all, as he had been the stable second string until Cooldine met with a problem.
Previously thought of as smart at shorter distances, he has an excellent win ratio and seemed to see out the three miles with aplomb, cruising under David Casey and maybe even getting to the front too soon. He is open to lots of improvement and is the value against the established stars. Better ground will suit as he looks to become the first horse to do the Leopardstown-Cheltenham double since Imperial Call in 1996. McCoy could be in the saddle for his retainer JP McManus.
Pandorama has bags of talent but does not seem to be blessed with the same amount of luck, being hampered early on in Diamond Harry's Hennessy at Newbury before a setback ruled him out of the Irish Hennessy.
His win in the Lexus at Christmas confirmed his talent, but he does look a bit fragile and Meade's Cheltenham record hardly inspires confidence. That said, he delighted in a recent racecourse spin at Leopardstown and connections are starting to make the right noises.
Of the handicaps, Call The Police is a must in the Coral Cup, while Plan A has a definite chance in the Fred Winter.
