Horse racing tips: Monday picks on the eve of the Festival

After what seems like an elongated build-up - (racing community: please can we make a pact to wait until January to next year?) - the Cheltenham Festival is now just days away. 

Despite last year's novices seemingly so full of potential, the Boodles Gold Cup that we all hoped for sadly hasn’t come to fruition as one by one the challengers for Galopin Des Champs' crown have fallen by the wayside. The champion has an easier task than he’s faced in either of the last two years, but remember that the only certainty in racing is uncertainty - the fences are still there to be jumped and the opposition to be defeated. I sincerely hope he achieves the treble. If he does, let's relish the moment and not pick holes in the achievement - or immediately start thinking of the possibility of a fourth! 

I hope you all enjoy the week whether you’re at Cheltenham, in Benidorm, at home on the sofa or under the desk at work watching on your phone. 

Jane Williams clearly has a good process for sourcing young stock out of France and over the years the trainer has done well in juvenile hurdles, often with horses that have a more traditional National Hunt pedigree against those with form off the Flat. Her runners are therefore my first port of call in these relatively new “Junior National Hunt’ races. 

Good For You was given an educational ride on his debut back in December over course and distance. Settled towards the rear, his jumping was at times erratic but he did briefly threaten to play a hand before weakening into fourth place. 

His next start at Wincanton last month showed significant promise. Racing at the head of affairs, his jumping was far more assured and he ran resolutely to the line to finish second. The winner has since posted another good effort, which gives this form a secure look. 

With natural progression - and granted the same positive ride as last time - Good For You he should prove hard to beat for a yard that has had two winners from their last four runners. 

Fasol has been well supported on each of his six starts over hurdles but has failed to deliver each time and, given this isn't a deep race, I fully expect him to go off well supported again given his hurdle rating of 110 looks generous when compared to his Flat rating of 100. I feel he has to be opposed, however, especially when you factor in that trainer Paul Nicholls is yet to find his best form. 

Disguidedlimit was no match for the smart pair of Jurancon and Tripoli Flyer when finishing third on his hurdle debut at Chepstow but fared far better when finishing second on his latest start at Southwell. The form of that effort received a boost of sorts when the third Tramuntana, who finished 39 lengths back, won on his handicap debut off a mark of 94. 

This surface holds no concern for Disguisedlimit, with both of his previous starts coming on similar ground. He’s well capable of landing this. 

Lucinda Russell’s sole runner on the card, I expect Inis Oirr to make it a worthwhile trip.  

He's yet to really fire this term but it is entirely possible that his early season had been geared around a repeat bid on the Edinburgh National. Sadly that plan failed to materialise when the well-backed favourite unseated his rider at the very first fence, but the market support was no surprise given he’s now just 5lb higher than he was for his rout in that race at Musselburgh last year, while he's now fully 9lb lower in the weights than at the start of this season. 

Inis Oirr is yet to win away from Musselburgh and, while Taunton lacks the undulations of that track, it is at least similar in regards to sharpness and direction. 

A sound surface suits well and the booking of Derek Fox - who’s been on board for both career victories - should also be seen as a bonus.