The second race on day two of the festival is the old RSA chase, now named the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, which is a Grade One event over three miles for novice chasers.
Over the years there has been some cracking renewals from Might Bite and Whisper, to Champ coming from the clouds to pip Allaho and Minella Indo.
This year’s contest could yield another thorough stayer to keep onside come the 2025 Gold Cup and the stand out trends could help us find them early.
This can be a real test for young horses and experience of the track and the trip have proved crucial in recent years.
11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 previous start at Cheltenham and 10 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win over 3m.
Keep those onside with proven stamina and those who have proven that they can handle the undulations of Cheltenham.
Three miles over fences at Cheltenham is a huge test for any horse let alone novices.
Jumping experience has also proved a valuable asset in this race with 10 of the previous 12 winners having had at least three spins over the larger obstacles beforehand.
Be wary of runners lacking experience over the bigger obstacles. Look for assured and experienced jumpers.
Although this race can prove gruelling for younger horses class has also proved a valuable trait with 9 of the last 12 winners arriving here with a graded victory on their C.V.
Pay attention to those with graded form in the books already, they've proven they have the class to mix it with the best.
Those without graded form might just find this too hot to handle.
Race fitness is an important asset when running in this race, with all of the last 12 winners having run within 77 days of the festival.
Be ready to strike lines through those coming into Cheltenham off the back of a long lay off, they might just lack the match fitness to play a telling role late on in this stamina sapping contest.
Finally, narrow down your shortlist based on the age of the runners.
9 of the last 12 winners were aged 7, two of them aged 8 and only one 6 year old has won this in recent times.
7 year olds look to hold the key too this. Those aged 6 may not have matured enough to be effective over the trip and obstacles, those older may be vunlerable to rapid improvers.
The Paul Nicholls trained inmate is currently a top priced 7/2 for the Brown Advisory.
The 7yo gelding won the Albert Bartlett at the Festival last year and has proven just as good, if not better over fences. He comes into this race having had three very solid runs over fences, winning two and bagging a Grade 2 at Sandown along the
way.
