Three horses to follow at Cheltenham on Wednesday

Odds: 4-1.

This six-year-old attracted significant support when scoring off a rating of 123 at Kempton in December and looked a handicapper to follow given the manner of that victory.

With an attractive profile and the potential of further improvement, it was no surprise he was sent off at 4-1 for the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival next time out where he appeared to produce a below-par performance.

However, he raced wide early on there before racing prominently and fared best of those who raced up with the pace. He also made his challenge a long way from home before fading heading to the last, and I think his effort is therefore worth upgrading. 

It was also noteworthy that he attracted support ahead of Cheltenham, too, and while there is a slight concern he doesn't handle Cheltenham as well as he does a speed-favouring track, I'm willing to give him another chance, especially with the ground in his favour.

He races off a rating of 129 here, and should have more to offer with just eight starts under his belt, and Freddie Gordon takes off a handy 3lb, which is another positive. Hopefully Gordon will delay his challenge this time, especially as there should be a decent pace on.

Odds: 9-2. 

Long Draw looked a lively outsider in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was a blow for connections that he did not get to contest that race, especially as it appeared to have been his long-term aim.

He was also forced to bypass Aintree and this will be his first outing since December, although a 111-day absence is not a huge concern given he has gone well fresh twice in the past plus it may be an advantage against rivals who have had multiple runs this season. 

Olly Murphy's charge has been a rapid improver over the past few months and the form of his win over course and distance, and first start over three miles, two starts ago has been franked, most notably by Gowel Road who won the Cleeve Hurdle two starts later. 

The selection was not at his best when last seen, but that came just 13 days after his Cheltenham win, and I expect connections had one eye on the Cheltenham Festival there. 

With conditions in his favour, and the return to this track a positive, everything looks in place for Long Draw to go close, especially as he remains unexposed over this trip plus is unlikely to be in the grip of the handicapper yet. He's the nap of the day on Wednesday.

Odds: 11-4. 

Hymac was a game winner over a similar trip at this fixture 12 months ago and while he races off a 10lb higher mark this year, he looks the one to side with in this 0-150 contest.

The nine-year-old pulled nicely clear of the third on that occasion when denying Midnight Our Fred, and that rival has franked the form multiple times this season. Hymac also appears to have improved based on his performances in defeat over fences since, and has had a similar preparation this time having endured a small break after December before catching the eye in defeat last time out when a staying-on third in first-time cheekpieces.

His outing at Doncaster may have also been a stepping stone to this contest, so he should be capable of reversing form with Morador who he meets on 6lb better terms. 

The return to a stiffer track will also suit, and he's proven on good ground, so looks to have plenty in his favour.