Hot Fuss all the rage at Cheltenham

The Charging Man has ran really well in handicap chases this season and finally got his rewards after a trio of 2nds he won last time out at Ascot in a grade 2 novices contest. The winning margin of 24 lengths was somewhat helped by the fact the odds-on race favourite unseated rider early, however The Charing man jumped really well that day and stormed clear of his 2 other rivals. He has only been raised 2lbs for that success and could well be some margin better than his current handicap mark of 140. The Charging Man's prominent style of racing and assured stamina should lend itself well to the hustle and bustle of today's kind of race. The Charing Man rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Hot Fuss is a real likeable sort and has established himself as very useful staying handicapper on the flat before being switched to hurdles. He was beaten by a now 146 rated rival at Wincanton on hurdles debut but made no mistake to win at Sandown next time out. A combination of the very deep ground and perhaps the grade juvenile 2 level saw him finish a respectable 4th of 9 at Chepstow beaten 12 lengths on his latest hurdles start. Connections have not run him over hurdles since, presumably to protect what looks a very appealing handicap mark of 122. Hot Fuss instead warmed up for today's race with a win at Southwell on the flat wearing a visor for the first time. The hustle and bustle of today's race, the stiff 2m finish and the better racing ground are all factors that should suit Hot Fuss really well and the extra kicker of blinkers being applied for the first time suggests he will be primed to run a huge race today. Hot Fuss rates a 5 star each way Pick.