Recent reports have been slightly concerning regarding Blazing Khal's preparation for the Stayers' Hurdle but it may pay to keep the faith with Charles Byrnes's charge at Cheltenham this afternoon.
The Kalanisi gelding hasn't been the easiest to train but was highly progressive as a novice last season and looked better than ever when scoring on his return at Navan last month.
He stripped fairly fit that day and hopefully won't have been set back too much after suffering a nasty cut during that race.
A 'crucial' workout last Friday was called off as he had already galloped during the week and given the fact that he has a recent run under his belt connections must be happy enough with his fitness to let him take his chance now.
The way he travelled through the race at Navan was impressive and he quickened up to win in good style, beating a decent yardstick in Meet And Greet.
Coming here with an unbeaten record over hurdles the seven-year-old looks the horse in the race with real star potential.
Flooring Porter has obviously won the last two runnings of the race but has been below par in a couple of outings this season.
He has been an authoritative winner of the race for the past two years though and commands utmost respect back on the stage where he has dominated.
It looks a very strong Irish challenge this year with Teahupoo another young contender that is prominent in the betting.
The Masked Marvel gelding proved his stamina with a decisive win at Gowran Park in January and had claimed the scalps of Klassical Dream and Honeysuckle previously. That's very strong form.
In the preceding Ryanair Chase it looks hard to oppose Shishkin who bounced back to his very best with a wide margin win in the Betfair Chase at Ascot last month.
Envoi Allen could be an each-way play in the race. He disappointed when last seen in the King George at Kempton but had been a good winner at Down Royal previously and the yard's horses are in much better form now.
Nicky Henderson has another home team 'banker' in Luccia in the Jack de Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle but it may pay to take her on.
Smart Flat performer Lot of Joy took a few runs to get her head in front over timber but bumped into a couple of decent sorts on her first two runs, to be fair.
She came good in style at Fairyhouse last month and a strongly run race here should suit the Camelot filly.
Princess Zoe is another fascinating contender in the race but needs to improve considerably from her hurdling debut, when she dead-heated at Punchestown in late January.
In the opening Turners Novices' Chase it's hard to look past Mighty Potter who has been faultless in three chase starts this season.
The Martaline gelding pulled clear to win in commanding fashion at the Dublin Racing festival last time and is a very exciting prospect.
He did pull up in the Supreme Novices here last year but that came after a couple of early mistakes and it looks fair to draw a line through that effort.
