The key questions as mudlover Agrapart goes for repeat success

3.10 Cheltenham
Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) | 5yo+ | 2m4½f | ITV/RUK

Will testing ground bring out the best in Agrapart?

Agrapart landed this race 12 months ago under Lizzie Kelly and makes his first start of the season in Britain, having run twice in France in the autumn.

Trainer Nick Williams revealed on Sunday that he has effectively been storm chasing with the seven-year-old, so far unsuccessfully.

"We've taken him to France a couple of times looking for heavy ground and haven't got it, surprisingly," he said.

"He's a ground-dependent horse, all of his wins have been on soft or heavy and this is the first time we've been able to get him in the right sort of race on the right ground. Obviously, he won it last year so there are plenty of positives."

With some further rain forecast for Sunday evening, Agrapart has conditions very much in his favour.

Can Old Guard continue his revival?

After a fairly disappointing season in 2016-17, Old Guard has proved at least as good as ever this winter and has underlined his suitability to Cheltenham by finishing third in the Greatwood and a close fifth in the International.

Trainer Paul Nicholls believes this longer trip is what the Bryony Frost-ridden Old Guard needs these days.

"He's having a great season, he was third in the Greatwood and not beaten at all far in the International," he said.

"He's another of my runners who maybe wouldn't be ideally suited by heavy ground, but I definitely think he needs two and a half miles these days so this is the right race for him."

Is this the last-chance saloon for Wholestone?

Wholestone was the only horse Thistlecrack beat home in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month and the championship credentials he appeared to have at the start of the season are drying up.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies knows what is required and said: "He seems to run best at Cheltenham and hopefully he can put himself back in the Stayers' picture by winning this.

"We were very disappointed at Newbury. Nothing came to light but hopefully he'll run better this time."

How will Colin's Sister take to Cheltenham?

West Yorkshire Hurdle winner Colin's Sister has taken another Grade 2 and a Listed race in her seven-race hurdle career to date but has done so without racing at Cheltenham, where she was beaten twice (while running respectably) in bumpers.

Trainer Fergal O'Brien said of the only mare in the field: "She's in good form. My brother Dave worked her the other day and he said she worked as well as she's ever done for him.

"If it was a handicap she's right in the weights with Wholestone and Old Guard. She'll love the ground and I think she'll like Cheltenham."

If she does prove suited by the undulations of Cheltenham, the weight Colin's Sister receives from her rivals – as much as 7lb from Agrapart – could be telling.

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