Lil Rockerfeller and Diakali out to continue upward curve on opening day

squareinthair.com Novices' Chase (Class 2) | 2m, 4yo+ | RUK

Extracting improvement from a horse leaving the care of Willie Mullins would be considered something out of the ordinary, but Gary Moore has managed to find the key to Diakali this year.

Well beaten on his first two runs for the yard, Diakali has since pieced together victories at Newton Abbot and Fontwell in comfortable fashion over a combined distance of 52 lengths.

With an official rating of 153, Moore's relatively new recruit could take some stopping in a race which has been long circled in the calendar. The trainer said: "Diakali looked good on his last two starts and this is a race we've had in mind for quite a while.

"Jumping around Cheltenham is a different ball game to the tracks he's been winning on, but official ratings suggests he has a great chance."

This race has been a pointer to the festival in the past with the Alan King-trained Oh Crick finishing fourth in 2008 before striking gold in the Grand Annual the following March. Trainer Donald McCain will be hoping his Dear Sire is capable of following a similar path. He is among a cluster of horses with form closely tied to one another and renews rivalry with both Caid Du Lin and One For Billy.

McCain said: "He's facing horses he's met in recent starts and should have a good chance if handling Cheltenham. The ground will definitely suit."

All Set To Go, Sister Sibyl and Storm Home make up the seven-strong field.

3.45 Cheltenham
"Matchbook Time To Move Over" Novices' Chase

After winning in workmanlike fashion on his only start over fences at Uttoxeter over 2m4f this month, Lil Rockerfeller attempts successive victories in the 3m½f Matchbook Time To Move Over Novices' Chase (3.45).

This contest has certainly been a pointer to March in the past with Gordon Elliott's pair Chicago Grey and Grand National victor Tiger Roll both faring well in this before going on to victory in the National Hunt Chase at the festival, and Lil Rockerfeller is of similar calibre to those two.

Second in the 2017 Stayers' Hurdle behind Nichols Canyon, he returns to the scene of that career-best display in fine condition, according to trainer Neil King, who said: "He's in really good order. He didn't do anything flashy at Uttoxeter but jumped well.

"I walked the course on Wednesday night and the ground seems perfect for him. He did a fabulous piece of work on Tuesday morning and I'm looking forward to him acquitting himself well once more."

The consistent Pickamix – a horse rated far lower over hurdles than Lil Rockerfeller – continues to run admirably but has to concede 3lb to Neil King's stable star. Arctic Gold, Shannon Bridge and Treackle Tart complete the line-up.

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