Heavy weather for punters but El Fabiolo should make light work of Queen Mother

TESTING conditions will find out plenty of horse sat this year ’s Cheltenham Festival, with the heavy going expected to stick around all week.

- Johnny Ward

Punters should first be looking for a horse with good stamina if they expect to be holding onto their money.

On day two, the relatively small fields — a total of 22 declared in the Grade One races over Jumps — is consistent with trends in recent years, and Willie Mullins supplies three odds-on shots, though it is debatable if they are all worth siding with.

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30) looks all about El Fabiolo, who hammered Jonbon when they clashed here 12 months ago.

For all that the Mullins runner can be a little bit hit-and-miss at his fences, he rarely looks in danger and seldom looks like falling.

Famous last words? Unlikely — and, even if the hotpot underwhelms, is Jonbon ready to pick up the pieces? He blundered victory away in his prep at Cheltenham and the Nicky Henderson form in recent weeks is a little concerning.

Mullins (right) should get punters off to a successful start in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) with Ballyburn.