Keep a close eye on festival trials

An exciting racing weekend is in prospect, with a deluge of Cheltenham Festival hopefuls lined up to put their credentials on the line.

The Cotswolds track itself stages the main trial, with the Pillar Property Chase the highlight.

See More Business won the race in 1997 and 2001, while Looks Like Trouble took the extended three mile, one furlong trial on the way to Gold Cup glory in 2000.

Although reigning champion Best Mate is not among the contenders for this year’s renewal, last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Truckers Tavern is on target.

Guillaume Macaire’s French star Jai Du Cochet is also being aimed at the race and he will be hoping to make up for a disappointing show in the King George VI Chase.

Robert Alner’s Sir Rembrandt, runner-up in the Welsh National, could also stake his claim for the blue riband.

Possible Stayers’ Hurdle challengers will be on show in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle, which was won last year by Classified, who went on to finish fourth at the Festival.

The Wragge & Co Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is one of the recognised trials for the Triumph Hurdle.

Meanwhile, keep an eye out for Festival clues in Ireland as Francis Crowley intends to run Royal & SunAlliance Chase hopeful Nil Desperandum at Naas.

There’s yet more action to savour on Sunday with some really high-class racing at home.

The AIG Champion Hurdle produced a superb finish last year with Like-A-Butterfly just getting up to beat Limestone Lad by a head.

Neither will be present this year, though, as both have suffered setbacks, but Noel Chance’s Flame Creek is expected to make the trip to Leopardstown.

Bust Out won the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase last year but unfortunately missed the Festival due to injury.

The two mile, one furlong race is the other highlight of the card.