'She deserves to be prominent in the betting - this has been her number one target'

Paul Nicholls will send a small-but-select team to the Cheltenham Festival next month, and rest assured those who make the cut will have earned the right to be there.

The 14-time champion trainer, successful last season with Monmiral in the Pertemps, has never lost sight of the fact there are big races to be won outside the festival. That has led to a more targeted approach in recent years and, although there may not be a Kauto Star or Master Minded in the mix, the yard still has some interesting contenders.

"We're not going to have loads of runners and some of our younger horses still have a bit to prove before going to the festival, so we're going to be selective," says Nicholls.