A tough day for the majority of punters at Cheltenham yesterday, but as ever at the festival hope springs eternal as we go into Wednesday, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase topping the bill on a mouth-watering seven-race card. Master Minded is seeking a hat-trick in this most demanding of speed tests and will surely be hard to beat with a reproduction of his performance in the Game Spirit at Newbury. Big Zeb may give him most to do if his suspect jumping holds up.

The clash between stable-companions Long Run and Punchestowns is one of the highlights of the week, and though the first-named has been very impressive Punchestowns could be the more reliable jumper.

Quel Esprit and Rite Of Passage spearhead a strong Irish challenge for the Neptune Novices Hurdle, while there is a typically strong raiding party for the bumper. Shot From The Hip created a deep impression when scoring at Leopardstown last month and along with Frawley may prove the pick of them.

There are also two bank holiday cards in Ireland at Wexford and Down Royal, and former Punchestown Festival Grade 1 winner Air Force One is a fascinating overseas raider for the featured 3m2f chase at the latter venue.

The opening day of what should be another wonderful National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham has just about something for everyone and one can only hope that some of the big names live up to their billing.

First into the fray is Dunguib, brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper here twelve months ago and unbeaten in four starts over timber. Philip Fenton’s superstar hasn’t always been the most fluent over his jumps but the likely stronger pace here should help in that regard and provided Brian O’Connell keeps it simple he should see off unbeaten Get Me Out Of Here and Blackstairmountain.

Captain Cee Bee looks the pick of a strong Irish challenge for the Arkle, where the likes of Sports Line, Sizing Europe and Somersby will all have their supporters.

The Champion Hurdle itself has a very open look to it this year, with Go Native – chasing that £1 million bonus – and Solwhit heading the market. Choosing between them is not easy, especially given the latter’s late scare and doubts over where the pace will come from. 2009 hero Punjabi looks certain to go well again though.

Garde Champetre is expected to continue his love affair with the Cross Country Chase by landing the spoils once again for Nina Carberry, while Voler La Vedette and last year’s heroine Quevega surely have the concluding Mares Hurdle between them.