Esprit Du Large a big price to come of age in the Arkle

Notebook (164) is the one to beat in the Racing Post Arkle. He has a 5lb cushion over his rivals on RPRs, is a great jumper and has already beaten the second and third favourites, Fakir D'Oudairies (156) and Cash Back (158).

There's no obvious reason for those rivals to reverse the form at Cheltenham, as Notebook had Cash Back covered at all stages last time and Fakir D'Oudairies would have to overcome a length-and-a-half deficit and a 7lb swing in the weights.

Notebook's trainer Henry de Bromhead has an excellent festival record with two-milers, having won the Champion Chase with Sizing Europe and Special Tiara, and Notebook already rates close to the average Arkle-winning RPR of 166.