Malcolm Jefferson planning three-strong assault on day one at Cheltenham

Malcolm Jefferson is set to launch a three-pronged assault on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.The Norton-based trainer is no stranger to success at the showpiece meeting.Tindari and Dato Star were both Festival winners in the 1990s, while in 2012 Jefferson enjoyed a double withAttaglance and Cape Tribulation, both of whom followed up at Aintree a few weeks later. This year's small but select team is headed by Cyrus Darius, who will line up in the Stan James Champion Hurdle as a big outsider. The eight-year-old bolted up at Aintree in the spring of 2015, but was injured on his chasing debut at Perth and was sidelined until his comeback in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock in January. Having blown away the cobwebs, he got back on the winning trail in last month's Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso and Jefferson is hoping his 66-1 shot can outrun his odds. "We think it's worth taking a chance with Cyrus Darius in what looks an open Champion Hurdle," said the trainer. "I was delighted with his first run back at Haydock. He was bang there until the second-last, so it was a very good run for such a big horse who'd been off a long time."He quickened up well to win at Kelso, he's got sporting owners and we'll see what he can do."On his Aintree form, I think he'd have a bit of a chance."Cloudy Dream, who won his first two starts over fences before bumping into Buveur D'Air at Haydock and Forest Bihan at Doncaster, is set to take on Altior in the Arkle Trophy.Jefferson's third and final runner at this year's Festival will be Double W's, who will contest the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase. Jefferson said: "All being well we'll run the three of them on the first day and they all seem in good form.Cloudy Dream looks tremendous, as does Double W's. "We know the Arkle will be a tough race, but they're all tough races at Cheltenham. "Double W's is near the top of the weights in the novice handicap, but there'll only be about 10lb from top to bottom, so we're not too worried about that."