Grandouet will attempt to lay down a Champion

Hurdle marker in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and although he's just a four-year-old with plenty of scope for improvement, one senses that this afternoon's race will define the horse’s hurdling ambitions for the remainder of his career.

There is a question mark about his suitability to the track as he was beaten on both previous visits and that, it would seem, is the potential stumbling block to Nicky Henderson's youngster establishing himself as a genuine challenger to Hurricane Fly.

He was readily out-pointed by Sam Winner on his first trip to Prestbury Park and, on his most recent visit, he went to the front at the last bend still on the bridle but finished just third behind Zarkandar and Unaccompanied in the Triumph Hurdle.