Here are three trainers to watch out for at Cheltenham this weekend

Racing returns to Cheltenham on Friday for the two-day October Showcase meeting.

The fixture usually serves up plenty of clues for the season ahead and last season the likes of Frodon, Galvin, Cloth Cap, My Drogo and Fusil Raffles all ran well at the fixture before going on to bigger things.

Some trainers perform particularly well at the meeting – and their runners could be worth paying close attention to.

Runners and riders for Cheltenham on Friday

Paul Nicholls

Wins 21
Strike-rate 28 per cent
Profit to a £1 stake £10.81
Key horseFidelio Vallis (2.30 Cheltenham, Friday)

Nobody has had more wins at the Showcase meeting than Britain's champion trainer in the last ten years. Paul Nicholls has had 21 winners from 74 runners – at an impressive 28 per cent strike-rate – with 11 seconds and five thirds. Staggeringly, that means 50 per cent of his runners have finished in the top three.

There's every chance he can continue that fine record this season, particularly as he has four leading chances across the seven races on Friday.

Fidelio Vallis: has taken well to chasing and runs in a 2m novice event on FridayCredit: David Dennis (Getty Images)

Fidelio Vallis already has a good record over fences and goes for the 2m novice chase (2.30) after a Listed second on seasonal reappearance. Grace A Vous Enki also finished a runner-up last time out (3.05) while Danny Kirwan (3.40) and Saint Sonnet (4.15) have chances in their respective races.

Nicholls has two additional chances on Saturday. All eyes will be on Samarrive (1.45), who was a 13-length winner on debut for the yard at Kempton in April in the 2m½f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle, while 2020 Midlands National hero Truckers Lodge (2.20) is also in action in the 3m1f handicap chase.

Rebecca Curtis

Wins 4
Strike-rate 18 per cent
Profit to a £1 stake £23.25
Key horseMinella Bobo (2.20 Cheltenham, Saturday)

A £1 bet on all of Rebecca Curtis's runners at the Showcase meeting would return a healthy profit of £23.25. She has had four successes from her 22 runners (18 per cent strike-rate) with seven more finishing in the top three.

Adam Wedge and Rebecca Curtis after Lisnagar Oscar had won the 2020 Stayers' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

She is without a runner on Friday but has two runners on Saturday, both of which have decent chances. Minella Bobo appears the pick for the 3m1f handicap chase (2.20) off the back of a career-best at Ffos Las. However, he is up 12lb for that wide-margin victory.

Geordie Des Champs, who has already won twice this season, is a player in the 3m handicap hurdle (4.05).

John McConnell

Wins 2
Strike-rate 33 per cent
Profit to a £1 stake £3.75
Key horseBardenstown Lad (3.05 Cheltenham, Friday)

The Irish trainer has sent just six horses to Cheltenham for this meeting but two of those were victorious and a further two posted top two finishes. His runners clearly warrant plenty of respect.

McConnell has three declared for Friday and will look to repeat last season's success in the 3m novice hurdle (3.05). Sean Bowen has a 38 per cent strike-rate when riding for the trainer and will partner Bardenstown Lad, who has already won twice this summer.

Hat-trick seeking Mullaghmore Wave is another near the top of the betting in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (4.15) as is Wild Shot in the 2m½f hurdle that rounds off Friday's card (5.25).

McConnell has a further two runners on Saturday, with Go Another One out to build on his Perth recent win (2.20) and Roi De Dubai seeking for a third success over fences (4.40).

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