His run at Newbury doesn’t entitle him to go anywhere near the Festival, let alone the Gold Cup, but it should be remembered that Djakadam was a disappointing eighth in the Hennessy Gold Cup off a mark of 142 in 2014. A few months later he won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park before chasing home Coneygree in the Gold Cup. TALKING TRAINERS : BEN PAULING: WINNERS : BANGERS AND CASH (6/1), DENSWORTH (13/8), HENRY’S FRIEND (2/1), JOE DADANCER (5/4), MUCHO MAS (4/1). THE JUKEBOX MAN (3/1) Quote: INDIANA DREAM: “ A most exciting prospect and very much a horse to follow this winter, the J.P.McManus owned son of Cokoriko joined Willie Mullins in the Autumn. Previously owned by Lord Daresbury, the four year old was trained by Emmanuel Clayeux who has been a rich source of winners for Mullins over the years. Half-brother to Grade 2 winning chaser Ebonite, he won his only start in an AQPS Flat race at Fontainebleau (1m 7f : Very Soft) in February. A big imposing gelding, he raced handily before making his move in the homestraight. Pushed along by Gaetan Masure once pulled out, he ran on well to beat Iceberg Du Large (won over hurdles since) by a length and a quarter. The fourth Invincible Nao won over hurdles by nine lengths at Auteuil in April before being sold to Gary Moore / Harry Redknapp for €155,000. Mullins has been impressed with him since arriving and is likely to be suited by two and a half miles over hurdles.” WON on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse (1/1/23) by 15 lengths @ 9/4 SAINT SEGAL won twice over hurdles last season and travelled strongly until after the second last in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle last March when rated 126. The Saint Des Saints gelding underwent wind surgery during the summer and, having raced twice more over hurdles in the Autumn, he was switched to fences. Cheveley Park Stud have a strong team of three year olds for the new campaign spearheaded by the unbeaten Inspiral. The Newmarket based operation have six horses from the Classic generation in training with Roger Varian, including the unraced FOXTROT.

Quote: “ IMPAIRE ET PASSE (French Revolution): A four year old by Diamond Boy, he has impressed at home since arriving at Closutton with Willie Mullins commentating: “ A really nice individual who jumps well and will go novice hurdling. He looks a really nice prospect.” Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, he could be very useful and shouldn’t be missed on his jumping debut.” WON 4 out of 4 including the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham @ 5/2 The IRISH ANGLE - Declan PHELAN: WINNERS: BALLYBURN (7/4 & 10/11), CARBON KING (15/8 & 2/1), DOWN MEMORY LANE (5/6), TULLYHILL (4/6) With a rating of 154, the Saddex gelding has plenty to find with his two stable companions, but we still don’t know how good he is. Like Protektorat, he was bred in France by Guy Cherel and, having won his point, joined De Bromhead before winning one of his two races over hurdles. GOLD DANCER, a half-brother to Betfair Hurdle and Grand Sefton Chase winner Al Dancer, is a four year old who raced a couple of times over hurdles for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille before being bought for €250,000 at the Arqana Online Sale in mid May by Gigginstown House Stud.

Improving Scotsman to deliver in Yorkshire

The Middleham operation were set to unleash another highly regarded youngster, KYLIAN, at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting a couple of weeks ago, but those plans were thwarted by soft ground on the Rowley Mile. However, the son of Invincible Spirit is unveiled the five furlongs novice stakes on Wednesday (4.45) and, if his homework is anything to go by, there is every chance he will emulate his dam Hikmaa, who scored on her debut before winning at Listed level during her first season. Royal Ascot is expected to be on his agenda next month. A colt by Galileo out of the Queen Mary Stakes winner Heartache, he was ridden by Wayne Lordan and, having been pushed along at the two pole, he stayed on strongly to get within a length and a half of the more experienced Al Riffa. Foxtrot (Roger Varian) 4.10 Newmarket, Tuesday - bet365 European Breeders' Fund Maiden Fillies' Stakes A Grade One-winning novice at Aintree in April, he was a fast-finishing three parts of a length runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November off 154 – Long Run was third in the same event off 158 in 2010 before capturing the Gold Cup the following spring. TALKING TRAINERS : JAMIE SNOWDEN: WINNERS : COLONEL HARRY (1/4), DATSALRIGHTGINO (8/1), GA LAW (5/1), GIT MAKER (8/13 & 8/11), HARDY DU SEUIL (4/1), MILLDAM (15/8), PARK THIS ONE (8/15), PASSING WELL (7/2 & 4/5), ROGER POL (9/4), SUPER SURVIVOR (85/40), YOU WEAR IT WELL (16/1, 5/4, 2/7)

Absolutely excellent publication, worth its weight in gold, year in, year out. A lot of punters are very indebted.” K.F.THREE CARD BRAG has a couple of options on Friday, but I suspect he will line up in the Albert Bartlett because owner Max McNeill will be keen to use his retained rider Adrian Heskin. A half-brother to RSA Chase runner up Idle Talk, he is bred to relish the step up to three miles for the first time and is very much shortlist material. A bumper winner at Wexford (runner-up won the same race this month) in March last year, he has won half of his four runs over obstacles and is rated 138. The late and much missed Trevor Hemmings won the three and a quarter miles contest three times in the space of six years, thanks to Juveigneur (2005), Cloudy Lane (2007) and Ballabriggs (2010) and this seven year old doesn’t look overburdened off a mark of 137.