VINNY IS THE VALUE

Cheltenham preview: BIG BUCK’S, the horse Paul Nicholls describes as the most talented in his star-studded stable - despite the presence of the mighty Kauto Star - will start one of the shortest-priced favourites of the Cheltenham Festival when he lines up for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle tomorrow.

Punters have a straight choice: back the favourite at around 4-7 or take him on with an each-way selection.

And, as I hate selecting odds-on shots, I suggest throwing an each-way dart at 33-1 shot Cousin Vinny, who was fifth in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and will be well suited by the step up in trip tomorrow.

A superb card opens with the Jewson Novices’ Chase in which Dave’s Dream could be well handicapped off a mark of 138.

Last year’s Imperial Cup winner has been running on soft ground during his novice chasing campaign and, if the rain stays away, the return to a sound surface could ensure he is well-handicapped horse over fences.

I can pass on a serious word for Alfie Sherrin in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final and I would not be at all surprised were he to win following his romp at Newbury last time.

That said, he was green that day and could be vulnerable in the hurly-burly of the Festival, so I prefer the claims of the progressive Irish challenger Smoking Aces, who represents the shrewd Tom Taaffe stable.

I have written plenty on the Ryanair Chase in this column and, providing the ground is good, I fancy Albertas Run and Schindlers Hunt against the rest.

But if the forecast rain arrives, look no further than Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Tranquil Sea, who thrives in the mud and comes to the meeting in great shape after his recent win in Ireland.

My Petra, who has been mixing it with some high-class mares over hurdles, has a great each-way chance in the Byrne Group Plate so long as the ground is good, while the concluding Kim Muir Chase could go to top weight Ballabriggs.