Blazing Bailey, my selction for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and advised at 7/1 is now into a best priced 6/1 which is available with Paddy Power and others on a NR-NB basis. You can find a full list of my selections here – ante-post portfolio – Festival tips.

Celstial Halo is now into a best price 7/1 – available NR-NB with Paddy Power – having been recommended at 10/1 in my Ante-post portfoli0 – Festival tips.

The latest news on Exotic Dancer from Barry Simpson, Racing Manager for Sir Robert Ogden is ‘On a routine visit on Tuesday, it was found the horse was sore in his lumbar region.’ A pity that Jonjo O’Neill was not quite so forthcoming with his quote last night when he said the horse was ‘perfectly alright’! This obviously races serious doubts about Exotic Dancer’s participation in the big race. Let’s hope he makes it! At the very least it also shows very poor communication skills from the stable and connections.

BetFred have joined Bet 365 in offering the Non-runner, No bet concession on all races at the Festival.

Tony is back! At The Races have reported that AP McCoy will be fit to ride at the Festival. He was injured when falling from Arnold Layne in the Classi Chase at Warwick on 12 January. It will be great to see one of the best ever jockeys back in action. He will be on board my fancies Captain Cee Bee in the Supreme and Exotic Dancer in the Gold Cup.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham racecourse confirmed this afternoon that the racecourse is now being watered with a view to having going on the soft side of good for the Festival. If it’s dry in the few days before I think the Official Going is likely to be Good as they will stop watering at least 7 days before the meeting starts.

Bet 365 are offering prices on a non-runner, no-bet basis from today. This is a great concession which means that you can take advantage of better odds today with no risk of losing your money if you horse doesn’t turn up at the Festival.