Stay calm and bank on Stormy Passage to take a clear route to victory in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham today. With original ante-post favourite Cyfor Malta missing the race, Philip Hobbs's charge has an outstanding chance in this £75,000-added steeplechase.

Stormy Passage is proving a money-spinner as well as being remarkably consistent, for he won three novice hurdles two seasons ago and was never out of the first two in five races over fences last term.

Today's distance of two miles and five furlongs would appear to be his optimum trip and he can take full advantage of Cyfor Malta's absence to take first prize.

Top weight Simply Dashing and Dr Leunt took minor honours behind Cyfor Malta in the Murphy's Gold Cup here last month and seem sure to run well, as does Super Coin, but it is impossible to ignore the claims of Stormy Passage.

Dato Star can boost his claims for the Champion Hurdle back at Cheltenham next March by taking top billing in the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle.

The seven-year-old can confirm his standing as Britain's best hope of preventing the pride of Ireland, Istabraq, from taking the hurdling crown for the second successive year.

Pipe, who may be out of luck in the big race, can complete a first and last race double with Rainbow Frontier in the Lonesome Glory Hurdle and Irish Banker in the Bristol Novices' Hurdle.