RACING:BACKING short-priced favourites is usually the way to the Cheltenham poorhouse, and when a bookmaker offers to refund all bets should the hotpot win it pays to be doubly wary.

But even allowing for all that the 2011 festival will be over for many very quickly if Cue Card can’t land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Last year’s hugely impressive Bumper champion has been a star over flights this season and boasts the outstanding bit of form in this afternoon’s opener.

Running the Champion Hurdle favourite Menorah to four and a half lengths here in November was a fantastic effort for a novice and it is hard to see any of the 14 others in today’s race being able to do the same.

Nevertheless Paddy Power’s decision to go after Cue Card, and refund all losing bets if he wins, is one rooted in their record of getting both Dunguib and Cousin Vinny turned over in this race in the previous two years.

Maybe that willingness to try and “get” Cue Card is based on the presence of Joe Tizzard in the saddle.

Tizzard is not one of the leading lights in the English jockeys room but he is a seasoned professional unlike Brian O’Connell was last year when burdened with all that expectation on Dunguib.

Tizzard’s father, Colin, reported yesterday: “Cue Card’s had a bit of sun on his back and I really couldn’t be happier with him, but having said all that it is a horse race.

“He’s got the best form but we don’t know what’s lurking there. This is championship racing, not pot hunting. But he has the form, and he has the Cheltenham form, so it’s all there.”

Zaidpour appears the main Irish challenger of the six raiders today, but he has largely disappointed in his two starts since running away with the Royal Bond in December.

And even that in form terms comes up a long way short of Cue Card’s best.

The Irish hotpot on day one will again be Quevega who attempts a festival hat-trick in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle. Yet again, Willie Mullins’s star comes here on the back of a long absence and the likelihood is that at her best such an absence will mean nothing.

A Stayers’ Hurdle victory at Punchestown 10 months ago proved Quevega’s Grade One credential in open company. Against her own sex she remains very much the benchmark.

Realt Dubh is the sole Irish hope among the 10 for the Irish Independent Arkle where Ghiazo and Medermit dominate the betting.

It looks significant, however, that Captain Chris is back for another crack at both of them and the Philip Hobbs runner does look to provide a touch of value.

Captain Chris started favourite to beat Ghizao at Newbury earlier in the season and subsequently made Medermit pull out all the stops at Sandown. He was an easy winner at Kempton since and takes on the Grade One assignment rather than wait for the new Grade Two over two and a half miles later in the week.

The cross-country handicap chase is traditionally a banker for those betting on the Irish tally for the coming week and some familiar names line up again.

Garde Champetre has lowered a little in the weights to help his chance while last year’s surprise winner A New Story is back again amongst a strong visiting team.

It is noticeable, however, that Poker De Sivola and Katie Walsh, who provided one of the most memorable images of Cheltenham 2010, get weight from many of them.

A proven festival winner coming here on the back of just one run this season, Poker De Sivola could just take to this special challenge.

Sunnyhillboy has never run over three miles before, but his way of racing suggests he could go one better than last year’s Byrne Plate second in the Stewart Family Handicap Chase.

Brian's picks

1.30pm Cue Card

2.05pm Captain Chris

2.40pm Sunnyhillboy (nap)

3.20pm Peddlers Cross

4pm Poker De Sivola

4.40pm Quevega

5.15pm Divers

Nap and Double

Sunnyhillboy and Cue Card