I will put in a good word for Bob Mahler in the Kim Muir.

I rode him when he got up on the line at Musselburgh last time, and I would say the first-time blinkers would help him a fair amount here. I schooled him last Friday and he was in really good form.

He won around here last April, and his chances would improve further on drying ground.

In the other races on Thursday, I like Itchy Feet in the Marsh, Min in the Ryanair, Paisley Park in the Stayers’ Hurdle and Minella Melody in the mares’ novice hurdle.

If you wanted one at a bigger price, then Stoney Mountain catches my eye in the Pertemps.

Cheltenham Festival Thursday

4.10pm

Mister Whitaker

I was very happy with his comeback run here on New Year’s Day – I thought he shaped really well there – but then he appeared to go backwards when pulled up behind Santini in the Cotswold Chase. But that was obviously a very tough assignment for him and maybe the high-level company, and the stamina test over 3m1f in soft ground, wasn’t ideal for him. This looks a far better place for him, back in trip and down into handicap company again, and he is only 3lb higher than when winning here in April. That was his third win around here, including a Festival win on soft ground two years ago, and I’d be pretty confident of a bold showing. And even more so on drying ground, though he handles soft perfectly well.