Verdict

Voy Por Ustedes can retain his crown at the principal expense of Twist Magic and Master Minded. Alan King's horse does have to reverse form with the pair but the handler is confident that Cheltenham is his course and the reigning champion looks best placed to take advantage of the hill and its' emphasis on stamina. Twist Magic finished behind Tamarinbleu when the pair met at Ascot in January. Conditions are markedly different here and with one or two suggesting that there is a doubt about Twist Magic's stamina, he could be vulnerable come the business end of things. Master Minded leapt into the reckoning when victorious when in receipt of 6lb from Voy Por Ustedes when they met last time out. The latter is entitled to turn it around but Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride him of the Nicholls pair. Tamarinbleu holds engagemets all across the festival so he is by no means a certain runner. Fair Along has to be respected despite a couple of indifferent runs. He could force a place if the jumping holds together. 2006 winner, Newmill, has been out of sorts this term and is arguably with more questionmarks than positives on recent formbook evidence. Schindlers Hunt is tried in first time blinkers and probably would have won his last race at Naas but for unshipping his rider. Mansony lowered the colours of Nickname at Christmas under much more testing conditions but has been found out at top level previously. A sensational renewal that should go the way of Voy Por Ustedes.

Formwatch

Azulejo (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Cottingham (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.

Contraband 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, 9th of 13, 38l behind Predator (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd.

Fair Along (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 2nd, clear after 5th, mistake 11th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 23l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.

Lennon (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led to 1st, chased leader, led 8th, ridden and hung right from 3 out, strongly pressed from 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.

Mansony (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, under pressure 8th, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Tamarinbleu (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.

Master Minded (FR) 7-4 (11-4) Made all, shaken up when challenged 4 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) by 5l, 6 ran.

Newmill (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led briefly 5 out, 3rd and ridden 3 out, 4th and beaten when brought down 3 out in race won by Don't Be Bitin (11-4) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 hvy in Feb, 7 ran.

Schindlers Hunt (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, led before straight, headed 2 out, ridden to regain lead before last where bad mistake and unseated rider in race won by Maralan (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 gs in Feb, 7 ran.

Tamarinbleu (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Made all, soon clear, jumped left 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan beating Twist Magic (11-7) by 12l, 6 ran.

Twist Magic (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway after 3rd, tracked leaders 6th, chased winner 8th, beaten when blundered badly 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Tamarinbleu (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.

Voy Por Ustedes (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked winner, ridden to challenge 4 out, kept on, held from next, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Master Minded (11-4) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.