Graham Cunningham / 31 December 2009 Free Bet View Market

"Don't be surprised if the market moves hard in favour of Chapoturgeon in the 14:10 on the basis that Nicholls is rampant and Twiston-Davies has gone off the boil. And don't be surprised if Razor Royale runs a cracker at a very fair price, as he seems to relish this track nowadays and the "Twister" demise argument might well have been overplayed somewhat."

What do you reckon the average number of hours sleep the average Cheltenham racegoer will have had this New Year's Day?

The spread will probably be between four and five, but a trip to Prestbury Park on a chilly Friday is as good a way of any to blow away a hangover and the four races covered live on Channel 4 offer plenty of talking points.

Punchestowns is plainly the star attraction when he bids to make it two from two over fences in the Dipper Chase at 13:40 and, for all that the odds will be tight, I have no plans to oppose him.

Nicky Henderson's handsome chestnut was one of precious few horses capable of giving the mighty Big Buck's a race in the top staying hurdles last season and looks poised to fly equally high over fences based on the way he thrashed useful rivals on his chasing bow at Newbury in November.

I still have great respect for Bensalem despite his defeat in thick fog at Exeter behind the fast-improving Take The Breeze, but Punchestowns looks the real deal and fully deserves to be trading at odds-on overnight.

It's possible to argue a case for any number of horses in the 14:10 and the trio who interest me are Razor Royale, Chapoturgeon and Ashley Brook.

Razor Royale and Chapoturgeon both emerged from Poquelin's Boylesports Gold Cup with credit, the former jumping beautifully and galloping on willingly for second and the latter looking poised to press for that spot until slipping after the last.

Don't be surprised if the market moves hard in favour of Chapoturgeon on the basis that Nicholls is rampant and Twiston-Davies has gone off the boil. And don't be surprised if Razor Royale runs a cracker at a very fair price, as he seems to relish this track nowadays and the "Twister" demise argument might well have been overplayed somewhat.

The case for backing Ashley Brook isn't obvious given that he's about to become a teenager and his best days are well behind him. That said, he showed plenty of dash until his stamina gave out here recently and he could be an intriguing back-to-lay option back in trip having dropped another 5lb in the handicap.

The Twiston-Davies argument will be aired further before the 14:45 when Made In Japan hooks up with Time For Rupert again in a very strong staying handicap.

Little separates this pair after their sustained duel here in December and I suspect both of them are good enough to go close again having been raised 6lb and 4lb. It might just pay to see if the yard's early runners show much sparkle, but Made In Japan goes extremely well at Cheltenham.

He might just be sent off at a bigger price than he ought to be, while Ainama is still an unexposed horse at this trip over hurdles and is another who has to rate high on the short list after catching the eye under considerate handling on his Newbury reappearance.

I doubt the Cheltenham executive will be too chuffed to see only three horses turning up for the Freedom Hurdle at 15:20.

Katchit and Sentry Duty have both shown high-class form at their best, but Mr Thriller looks the "now" horse based on two fine efforts this season and the fact that he will be able to dictate with McCoy aboard for the first time only adds to the belief that he will take a power of beating here.