Could Cheltenham take its toll on the leading contenders?

3.50 Fairyhouse
Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTE2/ATR

Punting pointers

Just twice in the last seven years has the winner of this Grade 2 showed up at Cheltenham.

Renneti had a whole month to recover after finishing eighth to Arctic Fire in the County Hurdle when he won this race 12 months ago, while Get Me Out Of here had just five days shy of that to recharge the batteries when scooping the pot in 2012.

Voler La Vedette (2011), Dressedtothenines (2013), Thousand Stars (2014), Dedigout (2015) and Value At Risk (2016) all skipped the Cheltenham Festival and reaped the rewards.

Identity Thief (fourth in Champion Hurdle), Bleu Berry (Coral Cup winner), Barra (third in Coral Cup), Blue Et Rouge (14th in County Hurdle), Let's Dance (fell in Stayers' Hurdle) and Augusta Kate (ninth in Stayers' Hurdle) all return from festival fights.

Course specialist returns to scene of two Grade 1 wins

Although Jezki was a bitterly disappointing favourite at this meeting 12 months ago – when he trailed in 63 lengths behind Diakali – that came after a bruising battle in the Stayers' Hurdle and his previous forays to Fairyhouse resulted in a pair of Grade 1 wins.

He beat Champagne Fever in the Royal Bond in 2012 and returned 12 months later to land the Hattons Grace at the same meeting. Can he prove his fondness for Fairyhouse now that he does not arrive on the back of a voyage to the Cotswolds?

Jezki: former Champion Hurdle winner 'seems in great form' according to trainer Jessica HarringtonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Jezki seems in great form and it was great to see him get his head back in front at Leopardstown. Hopefully that will give him confidence and, while the ground won't be ideal, it'll be the same for everyone. I hope he can run really well," said trainer Jessica Harrington.

Harrington also has decent back-up if Jezki fails to perform as the talented mare Forge Meadow ought to relish conditions.

Harrington said: "Forge Meadow has done well all season and she should have no problem coping with the ground. She seems to be in very good form at home and I certainly wouldn't be writing her off."

Watch out for Willie, but which one?

Willie Mullins won this Grade 2 last year with Renneti and was also successful with Shakervilz (2008), Serpentaria (2009), Cousin Vinny (2010) and Thousand Stars (2014), so it is safe to say he knows what it takes to land the spoils.

The champion trainer has a staggering seven runners this time around so that throws up quite a poser for punters.

Coquin Mans (blue) finishing second to Melon - subsequent Champion Hurdle second - at the start of the seasonCredit: Caroline Norris

Perhaps the fact that Paul Townend, number one when Ruby Walsh is sidelined, has opted to partner Coquin Mans is significant, and the rider is hopeful of a bold showing.

Townend said: "He seems to be an improving horse and his second to Melon in Down Royal doesn't look too bad now, does it? I was only doing a half-speed when he slipped up at Clonmel and hopefully we will have more luck on our side this time."

Diamond out to dazzle in three-pronged attack from Elliott

Numerically, Gordon Elliott can't match Mullins in this Grade 2 as he only has seven runners to his rival's eight, but he does have three useful performers capable of competing at this level.

Lieutenant Colonel ended a long drought when scoring at Cork recently, Barra was a close-up third in the Coral Cup and Diamond Cauchois is fresh having skipped Cheltenham after his impressive nine-length success in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Elliott said: "I was thrilled with Barra at Cheltenham. It looked like she might actually win coming down to the last. She wasn't beaten far and that was a really good effort.

"Diamond Cauchois will enjoy conditions and you couldn't be anything but pleased with the way he won at Navan.

"Lieutenant Colonel is not as good as he was but at least he bounced back to win the last day."

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