Mike Vince / 18 March 2010 Free Bet View Market

"After a blank Third Day, the Irish will be desperate for some final day success, though alarm bells ought to be ringing amongst the Cheltenham Executive and BHA that the final race, usually one of the most competitive of all the handicaps, has failed to attract a single Irish trained runner. It's an unwanted and worrying occurrence."

It was dank and drizzly as darkness fell at Cheltenham last night, but the forecast suggested little if any prospect of enough rain to change the ground significantly as racing counts down the minutes to the most mouthwatering of Gold Cup clashes.

Tony McCoy was shaken by his two heavy falls on Thursday but the Doctor did not get a red entry so he is set to try and mastermind the dethroning of a champion, and the Ulsterman believes it can be done.

"I think Denman'sHennessy win proved him back to the levels of two years ago." he says.

"If he reproduces that it will be a very exciting race between two great horses who have achieved an awful lot."

Ruby Walsh has already proclaimed Kauto Star as the "horse of a lifetime" and adds: "His record is there for all to see and anything he wins now is a bonus."

Trainer Paul Nicholls could not hide his delight at Kauto Star at his pre-Festival media day. His view? "Kauto looks magnificent but Denman has definitely come on for the Newbury 'experience'.

Kauto Star will arrive here off the back of three months away from the track and that brilliant King George win at Christmas. Connections of Denman know that their prayers for rain, rain and more rain have not been answered and the public mood amongst those counting the minutes in Gloucestershire now reflects that.

After a blank Third Day, the Irish will be desperate for some final day success, though alarm bells ought to be ringing amongst the Cheltenham Executive and BHA that the final race, usually one of the most competitive of all the handicaps, has failed to attract a single Irish trained runner. It's an unwanted and worrying occurrence.

The pilgrims may well have things to cheer, though, with a seemingly strong hand in the opening Triumph Hurdle. Andrew Macnamara, who takes the ride on the Edward O'Grady trained Alaivan certainly thinks so: "There are three who have shown decent juvenile form in Ireland and mine probably has as good as any with the exception of Carlito Brigante, but we made a mess of it the day Carlito Brigante beat us."

Admirable honesty I'm sure you will agree!

In what should be a cracking renewal of the Long Distance Novice Hurdle, the Albert Bartlett, the Irish have nearly half the field but the vibes could not be more positive for one trained just miles from the course. Tom George says of Tell Massini: "I would not swap mine for anything."

Sixty-five thousand people due here on Gold Cup day wouldn't swap their place for anything either. Tips are flying round almost as frequently as losing betting tickets for the two handicap hurdle's on a spellbinding seven race card.

Is it any wonder that despite those two crashing falls and the stitches and bruises that have resulted, which would have flattened lesser men a certain Mr McCoy is determined to be here?

For punters and sports lovers, this is THE one we have been waiting for.