Can Black Hercules make his mark at Cheltenham?

YES: Slick jumping and endless stamina can see Mullins hope home and hosed, argues Darren Norris

Trying to select the winner of a race that last week received a record entry of 89 is no small task but the National Hunt Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival looks Black Hercules’ best chance yet of success at Prestbury Park.

Willie Mullins’ charge has twice made the journey to the Cotswolds, finishing fourth behind Silver Concorde in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2014 before producing a less than herculean effort last year, trailing in seventh, a whopping 35 lengths behind Martello Tower in the Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdle.