Cheltenham Preview Thursday.

So many column inches have been devoted to this year's Festival and now, finally we have arrived at the biggest event in jump racing, the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. Two definite camps have formed in recent weeks, those who fancy Best Mate and those who fancy Beef Or Salmon. Indeed many on opposing sides are quite adamant in their views.

From a realistic betting viewpoint, defending champion, Best Mate is much too short a price to contemplate backing. Indeed there isn't any great value in his chief rival either, so it may be best to sit back and enjoy what is sure to be a wonderful spectacle and hopefully cheer home Michael Hourigan's star novice to a first Irish win in the race since 1996.

This is a huge day for the sport's purists and Limestone Lad is sure to have half the country on the edge of their seats when he contests the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle at 2.35. It is almost too much to hope for the remarkable gelding attaining a win that his talent so richly deserves.

However, in the belief that his chief opposition will come from Baracouda, who is a much shorter price than he realistically should be, then Michael Bowe's eleven-year-old could be considered good value at around 3/1, though it will be fascinating to see if the massive weight of home money will have any dramatic effect on the market. Dare it be suggested that Paul Carberry's mount could even challenge for favouritism?

Elsewhere on the card, Sheltering is sure to have a good crack at putting his course bogey to bed in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase. Edward O'Grady's charge has been in the form of his life this year and with his now regular partner, Gordon Elliott seeming to get on particularly well with the horse, a price of five or six to one is appealing.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle looks as difficult to sort out as ever. Golden Cross though, is a tough solid horse who showed last time, a decent turn of foot and if Michael Halford's gelding runs his race it is possible to see him in the frame at least. Martin Pipe's decision to wait for this race with the favourite, Well Chief, may be rewarded.

Risk Accessor might find the two mile trip of the Grand Annual Chase to his liking, as the Christy Roche trained runner does travel well in his races. La Landiere is a cracking mare and is likely to be difficult to beat in the Cathcart but Le Coudray, if none the worse for his fall last time would be a major threat.

Finally, the County Handicap Hurdle is always a horrible race to be trying to 'get out' on, but for those who must, perhaps Len Lungo's Full Irish might reward each-way support.

Eamonn Murphy