Cheltenham week is finally here and for racing fans it remains the most anticipated four days of the National Hunt calendar. The Festival brings together the leading horses, trainers and jockeys from Ireland and Britain, and the opening two days promise the usual mix of quality racing, competitive handicaps and championship contests.

Day One traditionally sets the tone for the week, with the famous Cheltenham roar greeting the runners in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before a packed afternoon of racing up the famous hill.

Below are some of the runners that could be worth keeping an eye on across Tuesday and Wednesday as the Festival gets under way.

Tuesday: Cheltenham Festival

1.20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Talk The Talk is an interesting contender in the opening race of the Festival. A slick travelling novice with strong form in maiden and graded company, he appears well suited to the relentless gallop the Supreme often produces. If settling early and jumping cleanly under pressure, he looks capable of finishing strongly up the Cheltenham hill.

2.00 – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Kopek Des Bordes brings high class hurdling form into this novice chase. He has taken well to fences so far and combines accurate jumping with plenty of pace. The Arkle often rewards horses who can travel strongly and jump fluently, attributes that could serve him well here.

2.40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Saratoga is an improving juvenile who brings useful pace from his time on the Flat. Entering handicap company may offer scope for further progress and if handling the large field and strong pace typical of this race, he could finish to good effect.

3.20 – Ultima Handicap Chase

Jagwar has the profile of a horse who may appreciate the demands of the Ultima. A strong travelling handicap chaser with proven stamina, he shapes as though a thorough test over this trip will suit. Conserving energy early will be important in a race that often becomes a true staying contest.

4.00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

The Champion Hurdle is one of the highlights of the entire Festival. The New Lion has developed into a progressive and resilient performer and appears to possess both cruising speed and determination. If delivered at the right moment, he could play a significant role in the championship contest.

4.40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase

Madara is a consistent performer around this sort of trip and tends to travel well in competitive handicaps. The Plate is usually run at a strong tempo and that could suit his racing style if he produces a clear round of jumping.

5.20 – National Hunt Chase (Grade 2)

Wade Out looks the type who could appreciate this extended distance. A thorough stayer with solid novice chase form, he shapes as though a strong gallop and stamina test could bring out further improvement.

Day One – PK’s Watchlist

1.20 – Talk The Talk
2.00 – Kopek Des Bordes
2.40 – Saratoga
3.20 – Jagwar
4.00 – The New Lion
4.40 – Madara
5.20 – Wade Out

Wednesday: Cheltenham Festival

Day Two continues the momentum with another competitive card and several races that traditionally shape the remainder of the Festival week.

1.20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

King Rasko Grey is a progressive novice who travels smoothly and jumps accurately. The stiff finish on Cheltenham’s Old Course can test both stamina and attitude and those qualities may suit him well if he settles into a strong rhythm.

2.00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Romeo Coolio brings strong graded form into this staying novice chase. Tactical speed and proven class can be key in this contest and he has shown the ability to compete at a high level.

2.40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

Kopek De Mee is an improving handicap performer who remains relatively unexposed. With further progress possible, this type of contest could provide an opportunity to show further improvement.

3.20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Favori De Champdou is a tough and experienced chaser who has shown he handles demanding conditions well. With stamina and sound jumping in his favour, he looks well suited to the unique test presented by the Cross Country course.

4.00 – Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Majborough is a classy and versatile performer who combines speed with fluent jumping over fences. His graded form suggests he could play a significant role in this championship contest.

4.40 – Grand Annual Handicap Chase

Vanderpoel is an unexposed runner who has shaped as though a strong pace and a slightly longer trip could suit. If settling early, he could stay on well in the latter stages.

5.20 – Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

Quiryn is lightly raced but has shown promise in his early appearances. With scope for further development, he is another runner worth noting in the closing race of the day.

Day Two: PK’s Watchlist

1.20 – King Rasko Grey
2.00 – Romeo Coolio
2.40 – Kopek De Mee
3.20 – Favori De Champdou
4.00 – Majborough
4.40 – Vanderpoel
5.20 – Quiryn

PK Has His Say is an opinion based racing column for general interest and entertainment only. All views expressed are the personal opinion of the writer and are not intended as betting advice. Gambling involves risk and readers should only ever stake what they can afford to lose.