'It'd be daft not to go for the Gold Cup' - Cheltenham Festival Ante-post market movers

We've enjoyed some fantastic festive racing since Boxing Day, with high-class Grade 1s on both sides of the Irish Sea lighting up the landscape and seeing some Cheltenham Festival clues revealed.

The Jukebox Man called the tune at Kempton on Boxing Day and signalled himself to be a Gold Cup contender of note for Britain, while Gordon Elliott has been continuing his excellence in Ireland.

Here are some festive runners that have enhanced their chances for the Cotswolds.

The Jukebox Man - Gold Cup @ 8/1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes

El Cairos - Supreme Novices Hurdle @ 5/1 with bet365, Paddy Power

Narciso Has - Triumph Hurdle @ 6/1 with bet365

The Jukebox Man hits Kempton high notes

The King George at Kempton on Boxing Day delivered in no uncertain terms. The race was billed as a potential epic with a star-studded line-up including the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior, the emerging force that was Arkle winner Jango Baie and the untapped potential of The Jukebox Man for Ben Pauling, as well as last year's winner, Banbridge.

Four of the big guns faced the final fence almost in unison and it looked as though Banbridge was going to become the latest repeat winner, only for The Jukebox Man to rally under Ben Jones and get up between him and Gaelic Warrior to win by a nose.

Owned by football boss Harry Redknapp, who had compared the King George to the Champions League, The Jukebox Man was cut from 20/1 and is no bigger than 8s now after breaking the course record at Kempton.

This was just his fourth run over fences and connections are now dreaming of the Cotswolds.

"It'd be daft not to go for the Gold Cup now," Pauling said. "We'll see how he comes out of the race. He's a character, he's got a big engine and a big heart. It'll take a few days to sink in, especially after the hangover, but these are the days you want to be a part of."

With Galopin Des Champs beaten in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday, and Inothewayurthinkin so disappointing in the same contest, the Gold Cup market is wide open.

Dramatic ending can't hide El Cairos' star potential

Day one at Leopardstown was memorable for many things and none more so than the manner in which El Cairos appeared set to win the 2m maiden hurdle that was race two on St Stephen's Day for Gordon Elliott.

Bought from the David Maxwell dispersal sale, El Cairos had shown ability in bumpers and was heavily fancied on jumping bow despite the presence of Doctor Du Mesnil for the Willie Mullins.

Under Jack Kennedy, El Cairos was in the process of putting together a huge performance before he stumbled after the last and parted company with his rider.

That paved the way for Murat to score for Wicklow trainer Peter Lawlor, who only has a handful of horses in his yard, and rider Cian Quirke, holding off Doctor Du Mesnil by a nose.

Despite his mishap, El Cairos created quite the impression and he was cut into a general 5/1 favourite (from 25/1) for the Supreme in March as Elliott reported him none the worse for the incident.

Mullins star shows Triumph credential

Willie Mullins has won the last four Triumph Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival and Narciso Has is now favourite for the champion trainer and top owner JP McManus after he landed the Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Mullins had won the Grade 2 with the likes of Lossiemouth and Apple's Jade in the past and Narciso Has looks another one with a bright future after a dominant display in the hands of Danny Mullins, with Mullins' assistant trainer David Casey suggesting there is 'plenty of improvement to come as well'.