'We're in the best shape we can be and we're full of confidence' - top trainers bid to solve Fred Winter puzzle

Punters love a so-called plot in this race and there is never any shortage of runners who might be categorised as such should they come home in front. Having run just once in Britain, Stencil is certainly among them and he bids to become the first French-trained scorer.

His French form is miles off what is needed judging on Racing Post Ratings, but he sets the standard on those figures thanks to his sole British start. That was when beaten ten lengths into second behind East India Dock on the New course here on Trials day back in January.

He was no match for the Triumph Hurdle joint-favourite that day and punters who fancy East India Dock on Friday will be hoping that Stencil doesn’t get sunk without trace like stablemate Milan Tino last year. He took third in the same race in which Stencil was second on Trials day 12 months ago, but finished only sixth when a 100-30 favourite for this.

East India Dock is trained by James Owen, who runs Lavender Hill Mob and Liam Swagger. Both are outsiders but a win for either would be another Triumph pointer for their stablemate.

However, for all the British and French might harbour big hopes, the reality is that the Irish have dominated this race by winning seven on the bounce and the Gavin Cromwell-trained Total Look heads the challenge after catching the eye of the stewards last time.

That was at Punchestown when he didn’t jump well out of heavy going and made late ground after becoming outpaced. He could be a different proposition on these better conditions, with cheekpieces on for the first time, at a track where he finished third in December. If he or Stencil were to win, they would be the first to land this having run at Cheltenham that season.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Dascombe in unfamiliar surroundings

Group 1-winning Flat trainer Tom Dascombe is an unusual name on the Cheltenham Festival day one racecard, but he leads the British challenge for the Fred Winter with Hot Fuss.

The son of Calyx, who cost connections 120,000gns as a two-year-old, finished second to leading Triumph Hurdle contender East India Dock on his hurdle debut before winning at Sandown. After finishing fourth in the Finale at Chepstow, Hot Fuss completed his festival preparation with an all-weather victory at Southwell last month.

"This has been the plan for a while, hence his run on the Flat to give him a good workout, and he's in great shape," said Dascombe.

"As long as he jumps round, which he should do because he jumps great, he won't be far away. He'll love the track and he already wants two and a half miles, so he'll definitely stay.

"We've changed the visor to blinkers just because he doesn't have to jump out the stalls."

Trainer Tom Dascombe: on the scoresheet at Doncaster

Tom Dascombe: responsible for leading Fred Winter hope Hot FussCredit: Edward Whitaker

As a former jump jockey, initially with Martin Pipe, Dascombe has festival experience to fall back on as he prepares to saddle his first runner at the meeting.

"I've ridden at the festival but never had a winner and hopefully we can change that this time," he said.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Wendrock
I think he's way too high in the handicap. I don't think he's done half enough to justify that sort of a mark and I couldn't fancy him at all.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Sony Bill and Murcia
Paul [Townend] rides Sony Bill, who wore a tongue-tie in France and wears one for us for the first time. He has plenty of experience and that will stand to him in a big field like this. Murcia will be well suited by the drying ground but might find it tough to get into the first three.

Noel George, joint-trainer of Stencil
He looked great when he arrived over there on Sunday. I think he's improved since his last run when he handled Cheltenham well. He's a big horse who needs a lot of work and he's improving.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Total Look and Robbies Rock
We’ve put cheekpieces on Total Look for the first time. We schooled him in them at home and they seemed to sharpen up his jumping so hopefully they’ll have the same effect on the day. The handicapper has been harsh enough on him but hopefully he still has a good chance. I think Robbies Rock can outrun his price. I don’t know whether a mark of 126 is his limit but he’s a big, scopey horse who’ll hopefully be open to improvement.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Puturhandstogether and Beyond Your Dreams
Puturhandstogether will enjoy the better ground and had a nice run last time when second at Fairyhouse. Beyond Your Dreams comes here in good form since Fairyhouse and would like a bit of rain ideally.

Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Slurricane
He seems in good shape and nothing seems to faze him. He's very straightforward, is ground-versatile and has plenty of experience. There's plenty in here you can make a case for but I wouldn't really swap him. He's a good attitude, tries very hard and stays well.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Quantock Hills
I couldn't be happier and he goes there in as good a form as I can get him. I worked him without the hood last week and he was very good. Harry [Cobden] came and schooled him on Friday and was happy, and I think he goes there with a very good chance.

Jack Jones, trainer of Teriferma
We're very happy with him and have had an extremely good run up to the race. He's in good form and is the sort of horse who is improving all the time. Despite being beaten far enough on Trials day, it was still a good run as there have been horses in behind who have come out and won. The better ground will suit and the cheekpieces should help him travel that bit sweeter. We're going there in the best shape we can be and we're full of confidence.

Harry Derham, trainer of Turn And Finish
We've been really pleased with what he's done. The ground should suit and I'm sticking cheekpieces on him too. Lots of people will be thinking it in a race with such a big field, but I hope he's got a good each-way chance.

James Owen, trainer of Liam Swagger and Lavender Hill Mob
Liam Swagger has done well over hurdles and he probably got stuck in the mud at Newbury when trying to give a penalty away. He's a Listed winner and his form is solid, and he's had a nice freshen up. He won very well at Southwell for a prep run and cheekpieces go on. Lavender Hill Mob has been slightly disappointing as he's only won once over hurdles and he's not really brought his Flat form to hurdling. He's potentially well handicapped and we're hoping a bigger field carries him along a bit.

Andrew Kinirons, trainer of Luker's Tipple
He's travelled over great, he seems very happy and I'm glad Sean O'Keeffe is on him as he knows him very well. He has a nice weight and had a nice break since Musselburgh. The fall wasn't ideal but he came out of it very well and has the experience of travelling. He was running well before he fell and it was his third run in 33 days for a young horse and he's had five weeks now, while the form has been boosted. We're very hopeful and the ground should suit.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Mister Cessna
He's in good form and we feel he's a horse who will love the rough and tumble that a race like this brings. We're really looking forward to running him.

Donald McCain, trainer of Static
We've not had him long but we've been following him for a while. I had a chat with Olly [Murphy] and he's ready to run. We think he'll do a good job next season and we'll go and have a good day out and see where it takes us.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

Day one of the Cheltenham Festival:

1.20 Cheltenham: 'He will get warm and jig-joggy beforehand' - Kopek Des Bordes the Supreme standout, but will the hood keep a lid on his temperament?

2.00 Cheltenham: 'He's in the best possible shape he can be in' - is this the one to beat the Willie Mullins hotpot in the Arkle?

2.40 Cheltenham: 'We've been looking at this race for most of the season' - analysis and trainer quotes for the Ultima Handicap Chase

3.20 Cheltenham: The late and controversial switch leaves the Mares' Hurdle open to Lossiemouth - can anyone stop last year's winner?

4.00 Cheltenham: 'They'll go a good gallop, but that won't worry Constitution Hill' - Nicky Henderson undaunted as superstar faces stiff challenge

5.20 Cheltenham: 'The further he goes, the better he is' - strong stayer Haiti Couleurs out to fulfil long-term National Hunt Chase plan