I was pleased to hear that Altior has been given the all clear. 

It sounds as though he was found with puss in his foot but Nicky Henderson's team were clearly quick to identify and treat it. 

About as close an analogy as I can give, would be like slamming your finger in the door and, to get the bruising out of the nail, you'd bathe the finger in water - we call it tubbing.

These things always seem to happen in the immediate build-up to a big race and it's just great for our sport that he's back cantering and good to run.

13.30

If Samcro  doesn't win impressively he'd go down as disappointment for many. 

He's done everything right so far and is obviously the one they all have to beat. 

Next Destination  has been doing very well for the Willie Mullins team. 

Having been fourth in the Champion Bumper last year he has course form to his advantage and could be the biggest danger.

14.10

I was very impressed with Monalee  at Leopardstown. 

I was there on the day and watched Noel Fehily give him a great ride from the front. 

He looked like he was there to be passed but kept on finding all the time and looked a very tough and genuine type.

Presenting Percy  is of course a good horse and we know he goes well at Cheltenham having won the Pertemps last year. 

The worry is he's had a couple of hard races this season.

Black Corton  winning would be a fairytale for the Ditcheat team and Bryony Frost. 

Based on the season the horse and Bryony are having this season you couldn't rule them out.

14.50

Topofthegame  won a valuable race on heavy ground at Sandown where we were third with Melrose Boy. 

He comes into this race in good form and is proven in the conditions.

It's certainly worth looking lower down the weights too with it being so testing.

Betway Champion Chase 15.30

While Douvan  has had a very long layoff and faces a tough ask against Altior, Mullins' horses are the exception to the rule and they wouldn't be running him if he couldn't do himself justice. 

The fact Ruby Walsh has opted for him over Min  suggests they must have been seeing some positive signs. 

It will be too soft for last year's winner, Special Tiara  , but he'll likely run a brave race. 

Altior  is obviously the one they all have to beat. I thought his comeback run against Politologue  was very impressive.

16:10

The Cross Country is a fascinating race and it certainly serves a purpose for those specialist horses. 

It's also a good race for the older horses to get into too. 

Enda Bolger is something of a cross country specialist and his three look like the ones to follow.

16.50

Half the field will be thinking they have 10lbs in hand! 

James Bowen is having a great season and takes off 3lbs on Casa Tall  at the top of the weights, and Lizzie Kelly, who also claims 3lbs, could go well on Esprit De Somoza  .

He's trained by her father Nick who tends to do well with runners on soft ground.

17.30

It's a really good renewal this year and is always informative for the future. You can take out the first six and follow them into next season. 

I like the look of Acey Milan  for my neighbour, Anthony Honeyball.

I've seen Anthony riding him out every day himself as we share gallops ad he really likes him.

He's won two Listed bumpers, including at Cheltenham and in heavy ground, and should run well.