Rattler can prove a big noise for Rothwell

If you could back any horse for the 2017 Cheltenham Festival right now who would it be? That question was put to me at Listowel last week over a few pints and I spent the whole night agonising over an answer.

Jenkins at 25-1 for the Supreme was tempting, as was the 16-1 available about Invitation Only for the Neptune, but it was Alpha Des Obeaux who got the nod in the RSA.

He's 8-1 with most firms, which is more than fair when you take into consideration Mouse Morris has long been preaching that anything achieved over hurdles was a bonus. And, boy, did he achieve plenty over hurdles.