Two races stand out on Cheltenham's New Year card beginning

He has run well on unsuitably soft ground on his last two starts over course and distance. Horses that have run with credit in the King George VI and Charlie Hall Chases earlier in the season tend to come on and do well at Cheltenham.. Two races stand out on Cheltenham's New Year card beginning with the Dipper Novices' Chase which was won last year by The Listener who claimed among his victims Star de Mohaison, who then went on to reverse New Year's day form with the winner in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival just over ten weeks' later. Increased prize-money in recent seasons has seen the level of competition for this race reach fever pitch and thorough stayers with a sound jumping technique are required for the race. Previously in the care of Nicky Henderson, Saintsaire hasn't been the most consistent of chasers and it'll be interesting to see if he shrivels up when confronted with the Chandler challenge. The feature race has to be the Letheby & Christopher Chase (formerly the Pillar Chase) and this is a classy and influential trial for China Filter Suppliers the Gold Cup. Al Eile landed the spoils for the Irish twelve months ago and any representatives from across the Irish Sea will be worth close consideration.