Three Horses To Follow On Seasonal Return At Cheltenham This Weekend

David Cottin trained Cheltenham festival hero Easysland is on course to make his seasonal return at Cheltenham in the Cross Country Chase On Friday ahead what looks a huge season for the French chaser with the Cheltenham festival and Grand National on his radar.

All the hype was around fan favourite Tiger Roll in this year’s renewal of the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but the French raider came and spoiled the party and did so in decisive fashion.

Sporting the JP McManus green and yellow stripes for the second time in his career having been bought by the owner after winning at Cheltenham in December, the French exploit always looked to be travelling best and when the two-time Grand National hero was unable to quicken up after two out he began to assert.

David Cottin’s gelding finished 17-lengths ahead of Tiger Roll, who still managed to finish 18-lengths ahead of third place Out Sam, which suggests how special this Cross Country ace is.

He takes on Tiger Roll for a second time in his career, getting weight again off the Gigginstown superstar and that should be the difference between the two.

Defi Du Seuil has been a superstar for Philip Hobbs over the last few years landing numerous Grade Ones over both hurdles and fences and he makes his return in the Shloer Chase on Sunday at Prestbury Park.

Having been faultless in his three runs before the festival, winning all three of his contests over two miles including back to back Grade Ones in his last two runs in the Clarence House and Tingle Creek.

He headed to the festival into the Champion Chase that fell apart in truth, and gave a below par effort, with everything going wrong for the chaser on the day.

Back for another season he is said to be back firing on all cylinders and he will be looking to land the race he won last year before taking the big Two mile Grade Ones in England.

The Harry Whittington trained Simply The Betts will return to the scene of his latest win on Saturday to make his seasonal debut when taking on the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The seven year old was one of the biggest market movers of the week at the 2020 Cheltenham festival having had a massive form boost when Imperial Aura landed the Northern Trust Novices Handicap on the first day of the festival and Whittington's horse had beat that over the same course and distance at Cheltenham before his race at the meeting.

Having not being outside the top two all season Simply The Betts was set for a big run in the Brown Advisory Plate and did not disappoint when winning the Grade Three Handicap Chase.

The handler is looking for another big campaign with his stable star and going back to Prestbury Park over a trip and surface he knows well should see him start his campaign well.