Absurde back for more at Cheltenham

Mondo Man was a high class performer on the flat and ran 5th in the French Derby last year. Things haven't gone to plan for him since switching to hurdles and on both of his runs so far he has been far too keen in the early stages of his race to see it out at the finish at both Ascot and Kempton. His stable reach for the hood to help calm him down and employ the services of Brian Hughes to help him settle earlier in the race. Mondo Man should get a very strong pace to aim at today and if he does settle better he has plenty of flat class that could see him run a huge race at big odds. Mondo Man rates a 3 star each way Pick.

Absurde won this race last season off a mark of 138 and could still be good enough to win it again off an 8lb higher mark. He has improved on the flat over the summer and a win at Chester last August was backed up with an excellent 5th of 23 in the Melbourne Cup. Absurde is still very lightly raced over hurdles having had just the 5 starts and there could well be more to come for him in this sphere. Last season he won this race despite the ground going against him, this year he should have his ideal conditions. They usually go a strong gallop in this race and that will suit Absurde who can come from off the pace. Absurde rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Jet Blue won over this very track and distance last time out in December surging clear of his rivals to win by 6 1/2 lengths. He is a horse that has plenty of experience and has been racing since a 3-year old. Jet Blue has some smart form in France but looks a horse that can progress even further now handling longer distances. In a race which can turn into a bit of a stamina battle siding with a horse that has experience and proven stamina could be the way to go. Jet Blue rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Jasmin De Vaux won the Champion Bumper here last year and looked a horse with plenty of ability. He won on his hurdles debut this season but didn't jump with a great deal of fluency over 2m at Navan. He has since run 4th and 4th in a couple of grade 1 novice contests and again his jumping has lacked some fluency on both occasions. However he looks like a horse that will improve plenty for this step up in distance to 3m and slower pace of the race should also help his jumping. Given that he has already won at the Festival and has run 6 times under rules he should be battle-hardened and ready for today's test. Jasmin De Vaux rates a 4 star each way Pick.