Timeform / 03 February 2010 Free Bet View Market

Timeform's current top-rated staying novice is the ex-French trained Long Run who made a winning British debut for Nicky Henderson in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. Long Run more than confirmed the impression created in France that he has stacks of ability, but it wasn't a faultless performance so far as his jumping was concerned and it almost goes without saying that Long Run is unlikely to get away with mistakes at Cheltenham.

The Irish took the RSA last year with Cooldine and this time round Pandorama and Weapon's Amnesty spearhead the challenge. The two clashed at Leopardstown over Christmas with Pandorama prevailing by a short head in a pulsating encounter, and so far as Cheltenham is concerned it is probably he that holds the stronger claims.

Another leading contender is Diamond Harry, who is set to have one more run before Cheltenham and will deservedly head to Prestbury Park as one of the leading contenders.

Timeform rate Diamond Harry 160 over hurdles, which places him in the high-class bracket, and would normally see him line up in the RSA Chase as the best hurdler in the field. However, this year a horse that falls into the top-class category as a hurdler is set to go to post. Indeed, having run to a Timeform rating of 171 in last season's World Hurdle, Punchestowns is the highest rated hurdler to go novice chasing since Iris's Gift. Although that horse never hit the same heights over the larger obstacles, Punchestowns' one effort over fences so far, a faultless victory in a Grade 2 at Newbury, gave every indication that he can reach the top level over fences. He couldn't be in better hands for the task ahead.

Timeform Ratings for leading contenders (weight-adjusted)

171p LONG RUN
167p INCHIDALY ROCK
164p DIAMOND HARRY
164 PANDORAMA
153P PUNCHESTOWNS
153P MIGHTY MAN