The key questions to help you find the winner of the Tuesday finale

Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | RUK

This novice handicap chase, which was first staged in 2005, is usually run to script with only two winners returning at an SP bigger than 12-1 in its short history.

Unlike last year, when most of the longtime ante-post fancies were either not declared or did not make the cut, the likes of Any Second Now, De Plotting Shed and Barney Dwan, who have been at the top of many people's shortlists since the weights were released, will be bidding to continue punters' relatively good record in the race.

Can De Plotting Shed take advantage of his chase mark?

The Gordon Elliott-trained De Plotting Shed, rated 7lb lower over fences than he is over hurdles, will be bidding to win his first chase in this ultra-competitive handicap.

A respectable fourth in the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown last season, the eight-year-old began this term with a promising second behind RSA favourite Presenting Percy over 2m6f at Galway but has been campaigned over trips shy of his optimum since.

He should not have any trouble with the testing conditions and is battling it out for favouritism, while he also has the benefit of Davy Russell on his back.

Elliott is also represented by Tycoon Prince, a one-time smart bumper horse who has not enjoyed the clearest of runs since.

Plenty will be put off by the fact the Gigginstown-owned gelding fell at the last when beaten in the Irish Arkle behind Footpad, but four of the past ten winners of this race had fallen at least once over fences, and he may not be worth giving up on just yet despite his inexperience being a concern.

Is Barney another one for the Brits?

Although Ireland won last year's renewal with Tully East, British-based trainers have had something of a stranglehold on this, winning 11 out of the 13 runnings, and Barney Dwan has solid claims of adding to the record for Fergal O'Brien.

O'Brien, hopeful of notching his first Cheltenham Festival success, has reasons to be optimistic about the chances of Barney Dwan.

A winner of his last two starts, the Paul and Clare Rooney-owned gelding races off 143, which is identical to the rating he carried into second in the Pertemps Final 12 months ago.

Can Ted Walsh add to his festival haul?

Any Second Now: Ted Walsh's big hope in the closing handicap on day one of the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann

As a rider, Ted Walsh was successful at the festival on four occasions before going on to train 1997 Triumph Hurdle winner Commanche Court.

He is out to add to his haul with Any Second Now, who has been mixing it against some of the best novices in Ireland this season.

A Grade 2 winner over hurdles last year, Any Second Now made a promising start to life over fences, chasing home Monalee over 2m4f at Punchestown in November before filling the same spot behind Invitation Only at Navan.

Owned by JP McManus, who won this race in 2006 with Reveillez, he ran well at Grade 1 level at Leopardstown behind Footpad on his last two starts, and has an obvious chance in his first handicap here.

What they say

Ted Walsh, trainer of Any Second Now
He’s been running well behind better horses and is in his own league now. He’s in good order and has a good each-way chance.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of De Plotting Shed and Tycoon Prince
De Plotting Shed is in good order. He’s a short enough price, not that such things bother me in the slightest. It’s his first handicap but he jumps well and we’re happy enough with his mark. Tycoon Prince fell at the last in the Arkle at Leopardstown and his lack of experience is a bit of a concern.

Nick Williams, trainer of Le Rocher
I think the race is made for him. He likes hustle and bustle, so lots of runners won’t bother him one little bit and the ground is perfect. He’s maybe the overlooked horse in the race.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Barney Dwan
He’s one who’ll thrive on this sort of occasion – every day is a good day for him. He seems in great form and I’m not particularly worried about the ground – it’ll slow everyone down a bit. Last year he ran over three miles and is back in trip here.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Rather Be
He’s been in good form and has had a good preparation, but just might want the ground a bit better.

Tom George, trainer of Rocklander
If we’d run him again he might have gone up too much to get in. Last year he had a lot of racing and probably ran his worst race in the Pertemps Final. We thought we’d keep him a bit fresher this time.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Ibis Du Rheu
He was off for a long time and needed the run badly at Newbury the other day. On the ground this is a better trip for him and he’s a lot sharper than he was last time, although he would prefer better going.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Jameson and Ballyhill
Running Jameson over two miles last time was a mistake as it turned out. He’s quite free in his races, but he found two miles a bit sharp. The next worry is that if you go through his form, his best runs are on better ground. Ballyhill has won at Cheltenham on the heavy and I’d hope he’d have a very good chance. Last time he made a horrendous mistake at the top of the hill which knocked him out of it.

Evan Williams, trainer of Report To Base
He’ll like the ground and there are no worries about how soft it gets. It’s competitive, but the conditions won’t be a bother.

Scoop6 riches

An anonymous punter who won £735,915 on Saturday’s Scoop6 will take their winnings above £1 million if they can work out the winner of the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.

An extra £339,201 is on offer to the punter on a day when the Scoop6 win fund is expected to reach £200,000. The bet covers five races from Cheltenham and one from Southwell.

If the bonus is not landed it will roll onto Wednesday, with totepool operating the Scoop6 every day of the Cheltenham Festival.

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