Which festival contender impressed you most on Trials day at Cheltenham?

'His blend of speed and stamina seems sure to result in a big run'

East India Dock could not have been more impressive in making it 3-3 over hurdles, winning his second course Grade 2 and reminding us of his own strong Triumph Hurdle credentials, a week on from Lulamba's striking British debut. 

A half-brother to Burdett Road, who was Triumph favourite until proving no match for Sir Gino in this race 12 months ago, East India Dock is a more nimble version and his blend of speed and stamina seems sure to bring a big run in the March juvenile showpiece – he's a clear second-favourite at 7-2 in most lists.

East India Dock: leading Triumph Hurdle contenderCredit: John Grossick Racing

Ideally suited by a sound surface, the course experience he's been able to gain will benefit him come the festival and he and Lulamba provide Britain with a really strong hand in the race.
Mark Brown, analyst

'The Plate looks the obvious option'

Jagwar travelled beautifully and jumped assuredly on his way to running out a comfortable winner of the opening novice handicap chase and would surely have a chance if returning for the resurrected equivalent at the Cheltenham Festival.

His previous run had worked out very well, with winner Jingko Blue landing the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase and the runner-up going in on their next starts, and he'll be a major player when he is reassessed. He gave two-and-a-half-length runner-up Billytherealbigread, who looks to be on a workable mark, 7lb despite being just 1lb higher on official ratings here.

Some might think it's a bit odd to be impressed by a horse who lost, but I thought Grandeur D'Ame ran a cracker to finish second in the 2m4f handicap chase and he must be included in the festival talk.

He produced the best run of his career when beating Ga Law by two lengths at Chepstow in October and this was arguably even better as he was the only one to live with a strong pace and found more at the finish to push a well-treated rival to a short-head. The Plate looks the obvious option for this improver.
Harry Wilson, tipster

'This performance was timely'

All the hype before the concluding Grade 2 was about the unbeaten Potters Charm, but Sixmilebridge underlined his own festival claims with a game victory.

The Turners Novices' Hurdle looks the obvious target and connections will be thrilled to have course form before the big one in March. He went a little bit under the radar in the betting market, but he travelled like a dream and saved his best jump until he needed it at the last to pull clear.

The New Lion is the one to beat in the festival Grade 1, but 14-1 is a cracking price for the Fergal O'Brien-trained six-year-old, who defeated the third Bill Joyce by a significantly bigger margin than The New Lion did in the Challow Hurdle.
Liam Headd, Lambourn correspondent 

Read these next:

'My heart was in my mouth' - Constitution Hill survives late blunder to post easy win on Cheltenham return 

'I wouldn't swap East India Dock in the Triumph' - James Owen confident about Cheltenham chances after dominant trial win 

'Galopin Des Champs is a champion but you don’t worry about one horse' - L'Homme Presse tees up Gold Cup bid 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more