11:03

Willie Mullins is back in form and the betting market seems to believe he’s finally going to win a Gold Cup, having had the runner-up for the last four years and six times in total. His Djakadam is down to 100-30 as I type, taking the position as favourite off Native River. Djakadam has had a clearer run this time than when second for the last two years and perhaps this is a weaker race than those were.

If, as some believe, Colin Tizzard is badly out of form, that would allow you to put a line through the next two in the betting. Native River is a dour stayer who will race prominently and may prove hard to reel in on this ground. Good old Cue Card is back for another go, having fallen at the third-last when cruising last year. Sizing John, the Irish Gold Cup winner, seemed to improve for stepping up in distance, or perhaps it’s just that he didn’t have to race against Douvan any more.

Outlander won Ireland’s other main trail, the Lexus over Christmas. Like Sizing John, his stamina for this test is not assured. More Of That and Minella Rocco represent Jonjo O’Neill and both failed to complete in the Irish Gold Cup. Both have winning form at past Festivals and would get involved if O’Neill has got them back to their peaks for this. The others have a lot of work to do on their known form.