Seven of Britain's best delve into their Cheltenham Festival handicap hopes

With Cheltenham fast approaching, seven of Britain's leading trainers discuss the handicap runners they hope could bring them festival glory next month.

Olly Murphy

We've got some darts to throw at the board and it would be nice to think we are going to have a first festival winner. Skandiburg has a proper running style for a race like the Pertemps and would have a definite chance having won over course and distance. He has been mapped out for the race for the last six months.

Kim Bailey

We have five horses to run and I wouldn't swap then for anything else. Vinndication and Imperial Aura worked together this morning and I was delighted with them. Imperial Aura's experience here in competitive handicaps was hugely important as he learnt to race among horses. Espoir De Romay worked well this morning and booked his place in the Martin Pipe, our conditional Chester Williams will take the ride.

Imperial Aura (left): a leading handicap for Kim BaileyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Neil Mulholland

I'd like to run Fingerontheswitch in the Ultima but he may struggle to get in. If he doesn't he will go for the Kim Muir with Millie Wonnacott taking the ride, she gets a good tune out of him. The Young Master was third in the Kim Muir last year and goes for it again with Sam Waley-Cohen on board.

Ben Pauling

I was very pleased with Kildisart at Kempton on Saturday and that was much more like his old self on better ground. He has a live chance if the ground is similar in the Ultima. Le Breuil, who won the National Hunt Chase last year, will run in either the Ultima or the Kim Muir as a prep for the Grand National.

Jonjo O'Neill

Annie Mc's owner Simon Clare will make the decision whether she goes for the Marsh Novices' Chase or the Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase. Everyone has enjoyed the journey so far, she jumps great and will put in a good run.

Annie Mc's festival target remains undecidedCredit: Bryn Lennon

Fergal O'Brien

Champagne Well is my best chance of a first festival winner in the Coral Cup. He has done nothing wrong and probably got outstayed at Doncaster last time so the step back in trip should suit and he has run well at the track before.

Warren Greatrex

La Bague Au Roi ran a good race against Gold Cup horses at Leopardstown earlier this month and is ready to run in a handicap for the first time. Carrying 11st 3lb in the Plate is quite appealing but she is in the Ultima as well. We won the Kim Muir with Missed Approach two years ago and Bob Mahler has the same sort of profile and is improving all the time.

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