Exciting crop of novice hurdlers set to provide my Cheltenham Festival highlight

Of all the championship encounters at Cheltenham next week, I'm looking forward most to the novice hurdles. For me, these events satisfy three main criteria that encapsulate the best of the festival.

As a punter and analyst, it's an opportunity to dissect and interpret the form of talented young jumpers facing the most challenging test of their careers.

From a more purist perspective, I relish the prospect of races almost guaranteed to provide an exciting spectacle whether one has had a bet or not.