'Worse 16-1 shots' - festival eyecatchers from Friday's card at Cheltenham

Which horses impressed you most at Cheltenham on Friday with March in mind?

Rouge Vif destroyed his handicap mark of 156 with an exhilarating strong-travelling display and impeccable jumping.

He is clearly at his best on good to soft ground and the likelihood of him encountering such conditions at the festival could put him firmly into the Queen Mother Champion Chase picture.

Third in the Arkle last season, his high cruising speed came to the fore in the Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Chase and it was obvious from some way out that he was going to win.

It’s early days, of course, but he looks an improved model this term and there will be many worse 16-1 shots for Cheltenham than him.

Richard Birch, tipster

Fusil Raffles: progressed from his seasonal reappearanceCredit: Alan Crowhurst

With young horses it is always encouraging to see progress from run to run, so the performance from Fusil Raffles in the 2m novices’ chase was just the job.

He had won on his debut over fences, where class seemed to get him through more than anything, but this time around he was fluent and always in control against decent opponents.

Friday results and replays

You can see him performing with credit in the Arkle, albeit there are a number of potentially exciting contenders for that race still to show their hand this season.

Sir Valentine put in a decent performance on his chasing debut, too, and will be suited by deeper ground in the months ahead.

Peter Scargill, reporter

Galvin: aimed at the National Hunt ChaseCredit: Alain Barr

Robbie Power is a fine judge and thinks the National Hunt Chase is perfect for novice chase winner Galvin, so who am I to argue, especially as he was perfectly placed to judge aboard the prolific six-year-old.

He boasts some sound festival form and Gordon Elliott completed the same double with Chicago Grey in 2010-11, while everyone knows how good the trainer is when it comes to readying one for March.

Throw in the likelihood of a top amateur such as Jamie Codd riding and it is easy to see why Ronnie Bartlett's gelding is so prominent in the betting.

James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

Read more:

'How many owners are we going to lose?' – Mark Johnston on fears for the future

Last year was a disaster for Altior but he's in great form now says Henderson

'He could win the Gold Cup as a 13-year-old!' – big views on the weekend action

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here