Andrew Hughes / 23 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

"There may not be all that much strength in depth for the Irish Champion Hurdle, but the presence of a pair of top class hurdlers make this a fascinating contest."

Sunday January 24

Leopardstown

1:45 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices Chase
In a good year, this race can throw up an epic clash of young chasers and this could be one of the better renewals. Only seven go to post but there are some excellent types including Paul Nicholls' undefeated chaser Take The Breeze and Sports Line from the Willie Mullins stable.

2:15 Foxrock Handicap Chase
Sandwiched between a couple of Graded contests is this decent little handicap over two-miles-and-three-furlongs. Show Blessed could go off favourite, after his impressive win at this course on Boxing Day.

2:45 Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle
There may not be all that much strength in depth for the Irish Champion Hurdle, but the presence of a pair of top class hurdlers make this a fascinating contest. It is likely to come down to a battle between Cheltenham contenders Solwhit currently [1.9] in the winners market and Celestial Halo [3.4]

3:20 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle
Over two and a half miles, this is a Grade Two for the stamina-laden novices. An interesting bunch has lined up for this one with Willie Mullin's Quel Espirit likely to be a short-priced favourite after his comfortable win at Cork last time out.

Thursday January 28

Thurles

3:25 Kinloch Brae Chase
A Grade Two over two-and-a-half-miles that has gone to some decent types in recent years. This time around the entries include veterans Newmill, In Compliance and Watson Lake, alongside younger contenders like Rare Bob, winner of the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

3:55 Septimus Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase
A race confined to mares and run over two-miles-and-four-furlongs that features a mixed bag of entrants. Henry de Bromhead's mare Royal Choice may be popular in the market, based on her win in a similar contest last month.

Friday January 29

Newbury

2:40 Emma Lavelle Racing Handicap Hurdle
A decent looking Class Two contest over two-miles-and-three-furlongs that should be a good betting event, although if the going is heavy as forecast, it could prove to be quite a stamina-sapper.

Saturday January 30

Cheltenham

12:55 Betfair Finesse Juvenile Novices Hurdle
This high quality Grade Two over two-miles-and-a-furlong is a staging post for many horses being aimed at the Triumph Hurdle.

1:30 Timeform Novices's Handicap Chase
Novices' Handicaps do not usually feature the best chasers but any Cheltenham event has to be taken seriously and this race could proved worth watching for future clues.

2:05 Betfair Trophy Chase
This is likely to be a thoroughly competitive Grade Three over two-miles-and-five-furlongs with a big field and a lively betting market.

2:35 Argento Chase
Better known as the Cotswold Chase, this Grade Two event is a prestigious staying contest that is sure to be packed with Gold Cup entrants

3:10 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle
Another Graded event, this time run over two-and-a-half miles that is a key trial for the staying novices events at the Festival.

3:40 Betfair Cleeve Hurdle
A perennially popular event, this Grade Two run over three miles is the likely meeting place for a number of World Hurdle contenders.

Doncaster

1:45 skypoker.com Lightning Novices Chase
Punters who have the Cheltenham Festival in mind will be watching this Grade Two event closely for Arkle clues.

2:50 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Also known as the River Don Novices Hurdle, this is a thorough staying test for novice hurdlers, run over three-miles-and-half-a-furlong.

3:25 Sky Bet Chase Handicap
A typically competitive event for punters to get their teeth into. This is a Listed chase over three miles that is likely to feature a big field. Seven Is My Number from the Pipe stable is likely to be popular in the market.

4:00 sky Vegas.com Mares' Hurdle
Probably the classiest race on the card, this mares only event is a Grade Two contest over two miles and half a furlong and a pretty good rehearsal for the David Nicholson Hurdle at the Festival.