Hot To Trot: Bailey's Banjos to tune up for Cheltenham

Junps trainer: Kim Bailey

Kim Bailey saddled his first Cheltenham Festival winner for 16 years when Darna landed the Brown Advisory Merriebelle Stable Plate in 2015 and the trainer will be hoping to add another to his tally this time round. Charbel ran creditably when fifth in the Supreme last year and looks set to head a select team for Bailey in either the Arkle or the JLT, having shown himself to be a smart performer in two starts over fences to date, beaten only by Altior. Bailey could also be represented by last season's Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri in the Ultima Handicap Chase, and the trainer could hardly be in better form as the big meeting approaches. In the meantime, Dueling Banjos will attempt to book his own spot in Bailey's Cheltenham squad when lining up at Leicester on Tuesday. He is without a victory from four starts over fences, but proved better than ever when second on his most recent outing at Leicester and that form received a boost with the winner following up next time. Dueling Banjos would appear to hold sound claims of opening his account this time round, and could have the Kim Muir on his agenda at the Festival.

Flat trainer: Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston was in the headlines recently as he expressed dismay at the European Pattern Committee's decision to reduce the distance of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Johnston has won the race seven times since the turn of the century and was clearly disappointed with the changes made to what he considered 'the three-year-old stayers' championship'. Nevertheless, the fine form of his string is likely to have cheered him up in recent weeks and the trainer appears to hold several good chances of further success in the coming days. Addicted To You was upped in trip and again ran creditably when fifth on his most recent outing at Lingfield. He actually fared better than the bare result that day, forced to deliver his challenge from further back than ideal and ultimately doing extremely well to be beaten just three and a half lengths. He remains open to more improvement and is one to watch if making his handicap debut from what looks a fair mark at Newcastle on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Isharah and Watersmeet are both multiple winners on the all-weather this winter, and would appear to hold sound claims again if lining up in a conditions race at Chelmsford on Thursday.  

Under the radar: Nigel Hawke

Nigel Hawke was a successful jump jockey in his time and is perhaps best-remembered for winning the Grand National on Seagram in 1991. Hawke was forced to retire from the saddle two years later due to serious injuries sustained in a fall at Newton Abbot, but the Devon trainer has made a good fist of his second career and has Samingarry entered in the 2017 National. The 10-year-old has been below form in his three most recent outings, though, and is unlikely to get a run at Aintree from near the bottom of the weights. Hawke has enjoyed far more luck with Nachi Falls this season and the juvenile could line up at Cheltenham, having won three of his nine starts over hurdles to date. He holds three entries at the Festival, but has found life difficult in better company of late and is likely to benefit from having his sights lowered. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabre could make his handicap debut from what looks a fair mark at Taunton on Thursday. He produced his best effort when third behind the useful Two Taffs at Carlisle in October and that form would appear to give him sound claims in what doesn't look the strongest race of its kind.