RACING:THE ELEMENTS might have spoiled the party yesterday but they have conspired to produce five Grade One races on a unique 10-race card that might allow Zaarito to finish off what could be a remarkable day for Ireland.
A tally of four winners for the Irish on a single afternoon is not unknown in modern festival history and statistically, the chances of improving on that must have got a lot better with yesterday's dramatic developments.
With Mossbank favourite for the Ryanair Chase, Pomme Tiepy fancied in the SunAlliance, and Robin Du Bois among the market leaders for the Pertemps, there is plenty of Irish ammunition today. But there will be no more live round fired than Zaarito.
Colm Murphy's unbeaten hope will be among the most experienced for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and presents a chance for some heavy hitters to bet he will become the 13th Irish winner of the race in 16 renewals.
Murphy appeared unperturbed by the 24-hour delay but admitted: "You don't like them being over here too long. He can be a bit finicky but he looks to have settled in okay. He's been eating and drinking fine."
A Willie Mullins quartet that includes the highly rated Apt Approach provides back-up against a home team whose main hopes appear to rest on Tony McCoy's mount Big Eared Fran.
A feature of Day One was the relatively underwhelming performances of some high-profile Paul Nicholls' runners, something followers of the champion trainer will be hoping does not continue to the Champion Chase today.
But those stamina doubts about Twist Magic up the hill remain as do concerns that at age five Master Minded is being set a major task.
In contrast, Katchit's Champion Hurdle victory will only fuel hopes of Alan King and Robert Thornton followers that Voy Por Ustedes can retain his title and win at the festival for the third year running.
Along with Tamarinbleu, we are still talking about a leading quartet that are all plenty short in ante-post betting and while they are all keeping tabs on each other, it could be that Fair Along will change his Cheltenham festival luck and surprise them all.
There will be no more appropriate winner this week if Mossbank can land the Ryanair Chase for his owner and race sponsor, Michael O'Leary. Run as a Grade One for the first time, the two-mile-five-furlong trip should be ideal for Michael Hourigan's young star, whose Lexus run behind Denman at Christmas was a career best.
Strictly on that form Mossbank has the beating of that regular Irish visitor The Listener, who also appears here in preference to tomorrow's Gold Cup. That decision looks to have paid off too as this trip on testing ground should be ideal for the grey, who boasts course-winning form.
Willie Mullins's record in the SunAlliance - a couple of winners and several placed horses - would give Pomme Tiepy a major shout on its own. But the mare will be a major player in her own right after a prolific season and the absence of that quick ground Mullins feared.
The age concern some have regarding Master Minded in the Queen Mother also applies, however, to Pomme Tiepy, maybe even more over three miles. Oscar Park is inexperienced over fences but is proven up the final hill having won last year's Pertemps.
This year's Pertemps may yet see a major gamble on a potential Tony Martin handicap snip in Robin Du Bois. On some of his best juvenile form, the five-year-old does look attractively weighted but his stamina is unproven.
That comment does not apply to Miko de Beauchene but maybe Irish hopes will be better served in the marathon hurdle by the lightly weighted Dancing Tornado.
Those with any powder left by the time of the Kim Muir could look at David Pipe's My Immortal to come to the rescue, while Mr Strachan can provide his shrewd trainer, Sue Smith, with a first festival success in the Jewson.
BRIAN O'CONNOR'S TIPS
12.30: Back On Line
1.05: Oscar Park
1.40: Mr Strachan (double)
2.20: Fair Along
2.55: The Listener
3.30: Inglis Drever
4.05: Bible Lord
4.40: Dancing Tornado
5.20: My Immortal
5.50: Zaarito (nap)
