12:45 CHELTENHAM

Of all of the races at Cheltenham, this is one that has been fairly straightforward for punters over the past 10 years as it is always targeted by specific trainers.

Nicky Henderson has won it twice while Harry Fry and David Pipe have both won it three times, and it's the latter’s mount that I really like this year.

Owned by JP McManus – who won this contest three consecutive times between 2014 and 2016 – DUC DE BEAUCHENE looks to have been plotted for this race.

He ran in some very competitive novice hurdles and wasn't entirely disgraced, but it was clear that a future in handicaps was on the cards.

The six-year-old finds himself on a very fair mark of 119, with top conditional jockey, Jonjo O'Neill Jr, booked for the ride.

I also foresee a very good run from the improving MC ALPINE, who has obviously been campaigned for this race by the very shrewd young trainer, Philip Rothwell. I expect him to run into a place off a low weight.

And, with this being the first race of the day, you'll get your money back as a free bet even if your horse loses thanks to Betway's special offer.

Visit Betway's horse racing betting page.