Key questions to help you find the winner of the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham

3.00 Cheltenham
Unibet Greatwood Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Can Benny's bridge the gap?

Fergal O'Brien has wasted no time settling into his new yard on the outskirts of Cheltenham and success in one of the track's pre-Christmas highlights would underline how fruitful the move has been.

He saddles Benny's Bridge, a course-and-distance winner last month who faces by far his toughest assignment.

"He'll love the testing ground," said the trainer. "He's gone up 10lb since that win so we're coming here in hope, but he's in good form.

"He's two from two at Cheltenham, so that's a plus, but I'm not a handicapper so I don't know if there's still something in his mark – we'll find out afterwards!"

Monsieur Lecoq: gelding won the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las last month

Do the clues point to Monsieur Lecoq?

There is plenty of evidence to suggest Monsieur Lecoq – named after a fictional 19th century French detective – can solve this.

Trained by jockey Lizzie Kelly's mother Jane Williams, the Imperial Cup second was progressive last season and was successful in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las four weeks ago.

Kelly said: "I've loved him from the moment I rode him on his first start on us and he's done everything right. He finds his races almost too easy, which means he can sometimes travel too easy, but I think he's ready for a big handicap like this.

"We just need to channel his energy in the right direction. He's a strong horse and will handle the ground better than some. At the entry stage this race looked very difficult, now it looks more winnable."

Which Skelton contender screams winner?

The prolific Dan Skelton is a man for most races, but he seems to have a particularly fine touch in 2m handicap hurdles.

Skelton has won three of the last four runnings of Cheltenham's County Hurdle, has won what was the Ladbroke at Ascot twice and also captured the Summer Hurdle, one of Market Rasen's premier prizes.

North Hill Harvey won this race for the Warwickshire outfit in 2016 and last year's County Hurdle winner Mohaayed, Monsieur D'Arque and Humble Hero – ridden by the trainer's brother Harry, so seemingly first choice – represent the yard this time round.

"Given normal ground conditions Humble Hero would be the pick," Skelton said.

Mohaayed: one of three contenders for Dan SkeltonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Mohaayed will handle the ground – he always has – but his recent racecourse form isn't what it can be. He seems very well at home, but has top weight and life's hard for him.

"We've aimed Humble Hero at this, although we didn't know the ground was going to be this extreme. I don't know how he'll handle it, but he's got some leading novice handicap hurdle form.

"Monsieur D'Arque has got absolutely no weight. Again, I haven't a clue about the ground, but I chucked him in at the entry stage because he took my eye at home.

"We've given him some surgery for kissing spines and on his Cheltenham and Ludlow form he's a player, but on his Newton Abbot form from last time he couldn't lead them to post. I know that sounds odd, but if his kissing spines were irritating him that day and he handles the ground I think he's handicapped to be a player, even if there are question marks."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Quel Destin
He has a lot of weight for a four-year-old and probably has to improve again, but he'll love the ground. We know he loves the track, so if he does continue to progress he'll go well.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Gumball and Zanza
Neither wants soft ground. We thought the same before Gumball won at Ascot, although the conditions weren't as bad as they will be on Sunday. Zanza's very inconsistent for no obvious reason, but when he's on his best form he runs some very good races.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Countister and Dame De Compagnie
Barry [Geraghty] rides Dame De Compagnie and I think he thinks she's got the better chance of getting through the ground – it's going to be desperate. They're both working very well and are ready to go, but Countister might want better ground and Dame might handle it. I've always thought the world of these two; they're lovely mares.

Alan King, trainer of Harambe
I won this two years ago with Elgin and have long had it in mind for Harambe, who progressed really well last spring and has come on a lot for his comeback run at Chepstow.

Shaun Lycett, trainer of Torcello
I'm very excited and delighted it's rained as he seems to like soft ground. This has been the plan and he's probably the forgotten horse – nobody's looking at the Flat form to see he's won his last three. You can see how he's improved on the Flat and if he improves equally for hurdling he could be well in. We're not going for a day out.

Tom McCourt, trainer of De Mazzaro
He won well at Galway and he will like the ease in the ground. We are throwing him in at the deep end but he's in good form and Darragh [O'Keeffe] gets on very well with him.

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