Cheltenham Day 2 Connections to Follow: 'The wheel will turn'

Ahead of Wednesday's action at Cheltenham, we're marking out a trainer, jockey and owner to keep tabs on.

Trainer — Paul Nicholls

The 14-time champion jumps trainer in Britain and top trainer at this festival four years in a row during a golden era from 2006 to 2009 for his Ditcheat yard, things are very different these days for Paul Nicholls.

He's dealing much further down the pecking order than he's accustomed to and wouldn't deny that his yard lacks the firepower of days past.

All things in sport are cyclical, and as sure as the golden era was great, the current climate is testing for this powerful trainer.

The wheel will turn, and maybe in No Drama This End that process can begin. Nicholls has had some close calls in the Turners Novices' Hurdle since the mighty Denman was denied by Nicanor in 2006.

A succession of promising Grade 1 winners like Bravemansgame, Stage Star, Hermes Allen and Captain Teague have turned up in this and met defeat. No Drama This End is next and he could be a bit special for owners that mean plenty to Nicholls' yard down through the years.

It's a select team for him this year and he also runs Rubaud in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual later on the card, a race Nicholls has won a record four times.

Jockey — Mark Walsh

Mark Walsh will end his term as JP McManus' retained rider when the season ends at Punchestown in a couple of months.

He has carried out his role better than he's often credited for and leaves a big pair of breeches for Harry Cobden to fill.

This week will be one Walsh is determined to make the most of in the green and gold hoops and Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite Majborough is one of the headline acts for him.

Walsh's aggressive ride at the Dublin Racing Festival last month reaped major dividends and he may set out to dominate again. If he gets a similar jumping tune from the previously erratic fencer, feature-race glory could be in the offing.

With Free Spirit in the Turners, Kaid D'authie in the Brown Advisory, Kopeck De Mee in the BetMGM Cup and Inthepocket in the Grand Annual, it's another big day for Walsh and it surely will hinge on Majborough's jumping in the big race.

Owner — Mrs Audrey Turley

This isn't the Cheltenham week that the husband and wife ownership team of Greg and Audrey Turley dreamed about.

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs was cruelly ruled out of the Blue Riband at the 11th hour and it's now entirely possible we have seen the last of this wonderful superstar.

The car hire entrepreneur and his better half will instead rely on three runners on day two for their Cheltenham dreams this time around.

The opening Turners Novices' Hurdle sees King Rasko Grey and Free Spirit carrying their yellow and brown quartered silks, both runners trained by Willie Mullins.

Paul Townend sides with King Rasko Grey, narrowly denied in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 last month and they are key players.

Argento Boy also has Grade 1 aspirations in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase for the Turley operation. He's unbeaten in completed starts over fences and Danny Mullins' partner could be one of the Closutton contenders to outrun a big price in a race outsider Lecky Watson won for the yard 12 months ago.