IT has already been a truly memorable Cheltenham Festival for Willie Mullins and today could add the cherry to the cake for the Irish ace trainer as he aims to lift the treasured Gold Cup for the first time in his illustrious career.

Mullins, who has produced a whole host of star performers this week, is three-handed in the Betfred-sponsored showpiece of the meeting by On Your Own, runner-up 12 months ago, the smart Boston Bob and Djakadham, the chosen mount of stable jockey Ruby Walsh.

Winner of three of his five chases, Djakadham is the preferred Mullins runner. He failed to fire when made favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season, but he has since bounced back with an eight lengths win at Gowran seven weeks ago.

The vibes have been strong regarding Djakadham for several weeks and, in an open race, he looks to have a leading chance.

On His Own just failed to beat Lord Windermere in this £550,000 race last year, with The Giant Bolster, Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth left to pick up the pieces.

All five horses renew rivalry this afternoon. Silviniaco Conti has been in the best form since, winning the Betfair Chase and the King George at Kempton. He has looked a different horse since being equipped with cheekpieces, but there remains a question mark over his ability to produce his best at Cheltenham.

The unknown horse in the field is Coneygree, who steps out of novice company for the first time. He has won all his three races in scintillating style this season since returning from injury and is clearly a very talented performer. This is a big ask on only his fourth chasing start, but it would be no surprise to see this resolute front-runner run a mighty race.

Coneygree could well be the chief danger to Dhakadham, who is fancied to provide Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh with the crowing glory of an unforgettable week.

Nicky Henderson got off the mark at this year's Cheltenham Festival yesterday when Call The Cops, ridden by Malton-born Andrew Tinkler, pictured, won the Pertemps Hurdle Final.

Henderson can add to his tally in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, in which he saddles Hargam, Top Notch and Peace And Co. All three horses have solid chances, but Peace And Co makes most appeal. Unbeaten in three races, one in France before victories at Doncaster and on this course, Peace And Co looks to tick all the right boxes.

The Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle has predictably attracted a huge field. Hawk High is fancied to go well for Great Habton trainer Tim Easterby.

A 33-1 winner here last season, Hawk High, a good second to the high-class Glingerburn at Kelso last time, will appreciate the better ground. Although he has top-weight, the weight-range in this race is only 12lb, so it is not as challenging a task as it might have been. Lightening Rod, trained by Mick Easterby - Tim's uncle - has won twice at Wetherby this season and could sneak into a place.

The nap vote goes to Paint The Clouds in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase. Trained by Warren Greatrex, who opened his Festival account with Cole Harden in yesterday's World Hurdle, Paint The Clouds ran out an impressive winner at Doncaster last month on his comeback since last spring. He is six-from-six over fences and, although fragile, is a huge talent.

Norton trainer Brian Ellison is expecting a good run from the high-class Definitly Red in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Tough and talented, he has sound claims, but preference is for Thomas Brown, winner of two of his three races over hurdles, including one on this course, and a horse with a big future.

While Roi Des Francs could be yet another winner for Willie Mullins in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, the one result everyone will be hoping for in the concluding race is that Tony McCoy wins on Ned Buntline in an event named in his honour, the A.P. McCoy Grand Annual Chase.

There were tears and cheers when McCoy won yesterday on Uxizandre. There will be more of the same if Ned Buntline, runner-up in this race last season, can go one better and provide the legendary McCoy with a winner on his final ride at the Cheltenham Festival before he retires.


Selections

Cheltenham today
1.30 Peace And Co, 2.05 Hawk High, 2.40 Thomas Brown, 3.20 Djakadham, 4.00 Paint The Clouds (NAP), 4.40 Roi Des Francs, 5.15 Ned Buntline.
 

Wolverhampton today
5.45 Rosie Hall, 6.15 Snow Dancer, 6.45 Anniversarie, 7.15 Lycidias, 7.45 Starlight Genie, 8.15 Tsarglas, 8.45 Quadriga.

Today's other meetings
Fakenham and Lingfield.

Tomorrow's meetings
Kempton, Lingfield, Newcastle, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.