Harry Allwood's top tips for Friday: Rocky can land knockout blow

The final meeting at Cheltenham before the Festival takes place on Saturday and we are sure to find plenty of clues ahead of the big four days in March.

I was hoping Torpillo would run in the the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle as I was impressed with his two easy victories at Sandown this season and he would be my bet at this stage for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, but unfortunately he has not been declared.

It is hard to know how good the form is of those two races, but the four-year-old has looked a horse with a bright future.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ youngster is a general 14-1 chance for the opening race on day four of the Festival and I would not put you off backing him at that price for the Grade One contest.

Meanwhile, there is some competitive action in Britain on Friday, and I have three fancies at Huntingdon, Lingfield and Newcastle. Best of luck.

Delagate The Lady caught the eye over course and distance last time out when a steady pace did not suit and she has strong claims of recording her first career victory here.

She also raced keenly before staying on to finish fourth beaten less than a length and suffered interference in the closing stages.

A reproduction of that run will see her go close here off the same rating of 48 provided she gets a trouble-free passage.

Course specialist Prominna will be a threat on his best form and looks the main danger, although all of his best efforts have come over five furlongs.

This looks a competitive race on paper but Ey Up Rocky has produced two good performances on his last two starts and looks capable of winning a handicap off a rating of 117.

The six-year-old was no match for the potentially useful Epatante in a novices’ hurdle on his seasonal debut before finishing a close second at Doncaster on his handicap debut in December.

Although he has been raised 4lb since that run, the booking of Jonjo O’Neill Jnr is a positive and there should be more to come from the son of Dylan Thomas.

Ey Up Rocky does need to prove he stays the trip but has shaped as though it will not be a hinderance on more than one occasion in the past and 6-1 is a fair price.

Ardera Cross is an interesting runner having his first start for Dan Skelton after a wind op, although he will need to step up considerably on the form he showed last season to land a blow.

Equiano Springs produced another good effort to finish runner-up over course and distance this month and will take some stopping if he repeats that effort here.

Tom Tate’s gelding has won three times at Newcastle and, although those victories have been over seven furlongs, he does look equally as effective over six.

The five-year-old also defeated Athollblair Boy – who has since got his head in front – last time out and is now on more favourable terms with that rival.

Russian Realm has gone close on three occasions over course and distance and will be a danger if he puts his best foot forward here, although he has not tasted victory since August 2017.