Turning onto Highway One O One can be fast track to Cheltenham Festival profits

De Rasher Counter
Emma Lavelle
2nd, Chepstow, January 18
The form of this novice chaser’s Newbury handicap win two starts ago has been franked by Walt. De Rasher Counter then gave the distinct impression over 2m71/2f last time that he needs a stern test of stamina. He was unable to peg back the all-the-way winner Now McGinty, but was conceding 6lb and Now McGinty has gone on to finish second in a Grade 2. De Rasher Counter looks tailormade for the 3m2f Kim Muir and is 11lb better off with Now McGinty if they reoppose.

Highway One O One
Chris Gordon
2nd, Cheltenham, January 26
Last season’s Close Brothers Novice chase winner Mister Whitaker won the race Highway One O One finished second in at Cheltenham in January. It's an ideal prep for the Close Brothers as it gives a novice valuable course practice before the festival. In that race, under a positive ride this improving chaser's jumping was slick and he stretched the field. Although unable to fend off Kildisart on the run-in, he was giving that rival 2lb. Should Highway One O One run well in the Close Brothers it would be a boost to Kildisart who is JLT bound.

Spiritofthegames
Dan Skelton
3rd, Cheltenham, January 26
Was doing all his best work at the finish in the aforementioned Kildisart race and as his handicap rating is just a shade too for the Close Brothers we could see him in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate. Spiritofthegames has festival form on the CV having finished fifth in last season’s Coral Cup, he seems better suited to chasing and is fairly unexposed over fences.