Megan Nicholls, Jonjo O'Neill jnr and Robbie Power give their festival thoughts

Nice easy start. Who wins the first race of the Cheltenham Festival?

Tom George, trainer Shishkin. I was very impressed with him when he won at Huntingdon last time and he looks to have a lot of speed as well as stamina. He looks the sort who will go on to be a proper stayer in time and I think that’s what you need to win the race, the combination of the two. For me, he ticks all the boxes for the race.

Jamie Hart, Tote Abacadabras was impressive when second to Envoi Allen at Fairyhouse. A lot went wrong that day – he was tight for room, got close at a couple, but still showed a strong turn of foot to beat the now-158-rated Darver Star, who is a 10-1 shot for the Champion Hurdle. He has the best form on offer and could be the best of these over this trip.

Megan Nicholls, jockey It is hard to pick between Joe Donnelly’s pair Shishkin and Asterion Forlonge. I’m going to side with Asterion Forlonge as the Supreme is a race where you have to stay, they’ll go very quick, and he’s a Grade 1 winner already. He’s just got a bit more solid form behind him but, to be honest, either of those horses could be complete freaks.