Trainers To Have On Your Side For Cheltenham

1. Gordon Elliot

This year, the Grand National-winning trainer holds live chances in several of the championship and Grade 1 events including Apple's Jade in the Champion Hurdle and Delta Work in the RSA Novices' Chase. It would be difficult to argue with his odds of 11-10 to finish the four days as leading trainer.

2. Nicky Henderson

The master of Seven Barrows may have been overtaken by Willie Mullins as the leading trainer in festival history but he still plans to run a formidably powerful team – lead by the brilliant Altior and dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air.

3. Willie Mullins

Ireland's champion trainer needs little introduction and overtook Nicky Henderson as the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history. Having saddled eight winners in 2015, seven in 2017 and seven again last year, the pressure is once again on for the master of Closutton.

Bellshill and Kemboy in the Gold Cup, Faugheen in the Stayers' Hurdle and Laurina in the Champion Hurdle.

4. Paul Nicholls

The trainer, who has been leading trainer at Cheltenham six times, has been in the doldrums as far as saddling Grade 1 winners at the festival is concerned but will saddle a stronger team this time, lead by King George VI Chase hero Clan Des Obeaux, while he also holds live chances with Quel Destin and Frodon too.

5. Henry de Bromhead

Henry de Bromhead returned to the winner's enclosure with the ill-fated Special Tiara after six years without a win and he returns with several interesting prospects for this year's meeting.

Balko De Flos, last season's Ryanair winner, has not produced the goods so far this term but he would have a live chance on softer ground, while Grade 1 scorer Monalee holds entries for both the Gold Cup and Ryanair.

6. Nigel Twiston-Davies

The Gloucestershire-based trainer did not manage to get on the scoreboard last term but managed to pick up second and third placings last year including with Wholestone in the Stayers'.

Twiston-Davies won the 2010 Gold Cup with Imperial Commander and if the forecast rain falls it will suit his dual Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai. Arguably his best chance of the week lies with Betfair Hurdle winner Al Dancer, who won a handicap over course and distance in December and is the general 3-1 favourite for the Supreme.