Cheltenham Festival: how solid are the favourites for the novice races?

Race: .

Best odds: 7-2.

Well beaten by Majborough in last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle,

Salvator Mundi

was returning from a 332-day break there, having previously found only too good in an Auteuil Listed hurdle.

The No Risk At All gelding won by 62 lengths in a Tipperary maiden afterwards before claiming Grade Two glory in the Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, a race Willie Mullins has won with Vautour, Douvan and Min in the past.

Whilst he clearly possesses ability, and is likely to keep progressing, his jumping requires significant improvement, and better value may lie elsewhere in the ante-post market.

His trainer, Willie Mullins, is responsible for 22 of the 64 Supreme entries.

Race: .

Best odds: 4-5.

Although the latest superstar to emerge from Seven Barrows is short at the head of the betting, Sir Gino appears to be one of the most solid favourites, particularly in the novice events, ahead of the

Hugely impressive when comfortably beating on chasing debut at Kempton, Nicky Henderson's unbeaten five-year-old is entitled to improve for his first experience over fences and, considering the level of form he has shown in six starts, there is little to suggest he has any chink in his armour.

Majborough is among 24 other entries for the race and will put his credentials to the test at the Dublin Racing Festival.

He appears likely to pose the biggest threat, but Sir Gino has made the biggest impression so far, and his Irish counterpart will need to produce a special performance at Leopardstown if he is to rival the current favourite for Cheltenham glory.

Race: .

Best odds: 7-2.

It may be easy to forget how impressive Ballyburn was as a novice hurdler on the back of a heavy defeat behind Sir Gino. However, the Willie Mullins' charge had previously emerged as one of the most exciting prospects from a yard brimming with talent, and recorded one of the most dominant wins at last year’s Festival.

Having made a swift transition to chasing at Punchestown, but the drop back in trip didn’t favour him at Kempton. He has a stamina-laden pedigree and won his sole point-to-point start, so the step up to three miles here should suit considering he’s also related to a number of strong stayers. He will be dangerous to oppose on his return to Prestbury Park.

The Jukebox Man has certainly thrown his hat into the ring with two impressive victories this season, including in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase, and looks a leading player for the home team. There are 32 entries for the race.

Race: .

Best odds: 5-2.

The New Lion confirmed himself as one of the best of the British novices when comfortably recording Grade One success in the Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle in December before being purchased for an undisclosed fee by JP McManus.

The unbeaten gelding will face his toughest test yet against a number of rivals with similar profiles at the Cheltenham Festival, and others make more appeal at current odds.

Willie Mullins, responsible for 28 of the 79 entries, is represented by numerous promising types in the ante-post market, whilst the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Potters Charm appears better value at a general 7-1.

His William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle success at Aintree represents arguably better form than the Challow and, despite being less visually impressive over the shorter trip than the Newbury winner, it was designed to encourage him to be quicker and more efficient over his hurdles.

Further improvement is likely when returning over a longer trip, and Potters Charm left some talented types in his wake that day in the form of Miami Magic, Country Mile and Roadlesstravelled, which suggests he’s one to keep onside.

Race: .

Best odds: 8-1.

Boasting impressive form figures following a flawless season to date, promising stayer The Yellow Clay is a worthy favourite in the ante-post market in what appears to be an open contest, although he is also entered in the Turners.

A comfortable winner of the Grade One Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle when last seen, the switch to hurdling has allowed him to improve on his bumper form and he should hold leading claims at the Cheltenham Festival.

Most recent winners of the aforementioned Naas showpiece have subsequently appeared at the Cheltenham Festival, and it is a contest that is a proven trial for the main novice hurdle events at the four-day bonanza.

Whilst The Yellow Clay will hold leading claims, there’s plenty of value at bigger prices, with surprise winners often providing a shock in this race. 

It is notably one of the more difficult races to predict, with Monkfish returning as the only single-figure winner in the past ten renewals, therefore it may be worth looking elsewhere for an each-way play.

Race: .

Best odds: 9-4.

Both of the past two renewals have been won by similarly unexposed French-bred Auteuil winners in Majborough and Lossiemouth, respectively, and Lulamba enhanced his claims with a straightforward success on his British debut at Ascot.

Giving 10lb away to runner-up Mondo Man, a €520,000 purchase who raced too keenly to pose a considerable threat, Lulamba did what was expected by justifying short odds and returned a comfortable winner. He's also been given an entry in the Supreme.

Few juveniles have made a significant impact so far this season, with early favourite Willy De Houelle (still among 54 entries) disappointing twice in as many starts since making the switch from France to Closutton.

East India Dock has won his two hurdle outings by a combined distance of 22 lengths and brings some classy Flat form into the mix, whilst the likes of €1.4million purchase Palladium, who was last seen finishing six lengths behind Rebel's Romance in a Cologne Group One, and three-time winner Charlus, a €315,000 buy, are yet to make their hurdling debuts.

Although Lulamba may be the most solid proposition at this stage of the season, others could emerge as potential threats, which possibly makes the general 6-4 available a shade short.