One key runner to note in each race on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival

Faugheen
1.30 Marsh Novices' Chase

Five years after winning the Champion Hurdle, the 12-year-old will bring the house down if he can maintain his unbeaten record over fences and complete a Grade 1 hat-trick.

Hugely popular, Willie Mullins' inmate also won what was the Ballymore in 2014 and would be defying all sorts of age stats, but he was a ultra-classy powerhouse in his prime.

Sire Du Berlais
2.10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Barry Geraghty rides his winning partner of last year over his retainer's other contender and Grade 1 winner Unowhatimeanharry as trainer Gordon Elliott seeks a third consecutive win in the race, having won with Delta Work in 2018.

Geraghty is flying high this week after three winners at the meeting, but JP McManus, who owns Sire Du Berlais and Unowhatimeanharry, has done even better, striking five times.

Frodon
2.50 Ryanair Chase

Another potential feelgood factor if Frodon and Bryony Frost can repeat their heroics of last year to put racing on the front pages again but they face another festival winner in A Plus Tard, ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, who pulled a Politologue rabbit out of the hat in yesterday's Champion Chase, Frodon has perhaps not quite hit the same form this season, but did win when last seen at Kempton two months ago.

Watch Frodon's battling victory in last year's Ryanair Chase

3.30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

A banker for many not only for the day but the whole meeting. The Emma Lavelle-trained stayer has proved peerless in eight races, including this feature last year, since being beaten in the 2018 Albert Bartlett.

Owned by Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth, the eight-year-old has few weaknesses and his rivals seem to be facing an almighty task to exploit any they can find.

Moment of magic: Emma Lavelle and Andrew Gemmell revel in Paisley Park's part in the Golden Hour last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Simply The Betts
4.10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase

Immediately became a stronger favourite for this race after Imperial Aura's impressive win in the 2m4f novice handicap chase on Tuesday. Sure to remain popular to provide trainer Harry Whittington with a first festival winner.

Named after a late friend of owner Andrew Brooks, Simply The Betts appears to have plenty in his favour and rider Gavin Sheehan has the bit firmly between his teeth this term.

Simply The Betts (right) jumps the second-last fence en route to victory at Cheltenham in JanuaryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Timetochill
4.50 Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle

This Listed bumper winner was just behind one of the market leaders Floressa when beaten by Lady Buttons in the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose and bids to give Rutland trainer Kelly Morgan a first winner at the festival.

Her representative has a good strike-rate, winning four from seven, and might just outrun her big odds.

Le Breuil (purple) survived this blunder to land the NH Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last yearCredit: Mark Cranham

Le Breuil
5.30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

Last year's National Hunt Chase winner is favourite for the amateurs' double and has the benefit of Jamie Codd in the saddle and he has won this race four times.

This is a prep for the Grand National, but victory would nonetheless be sweet for connections.

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