Jair du Cochet was impressive in winning with a fair bit in hand the Feltham at Kempton, Dec 26, from Le Sauvignon (who sadly died of a heart attack immediately after the race). With thoughts turning to Cheltenham, the evidence so far, suggests that Jair du Cochet needs at least soft ground to be at its best. Its normal pilot, Jacques Ricou, has received a fair bit of stick for his tendency to call a cab at times. I say do what works, he's less likely to fall off for a start.

Keen Leader once again came home virtually alone in Ascot's Gd2 Amlin Reynoldstown Novices' chase with the departure of Jair Du Cochet. The pace had been ordinary up to then, both were still travelling well at the time. I can not give Keen Leader a higher rating than 148 but believe it to be the best horse of the two, it could well be 164+ with give. Its ability to handle fast ground is unknown. As for Jacques Ricou he would have been better off had he been waving to everyone from fence to fence. I assume the criticism of his last ride got to him. Will he go back to his rodeo style next time?

Former Stayers Hurdle winner Le Coudray has come back well from injury to win a Gd1 novices at Fairyhouse, Dec 1 and was made to pull out all the stops at Leopardstown, Dec 26 from Bust Out. The shorter trip there was probably not in its favour.

Impek has done nothing wrong over fences so far with its win in the Gd2 novice at Sandown, Dec 7 from Le Roi Miguel being particularly impressive. It should have no problem coping with Cheltenham providing the ground does not come up testing. The runner-up is one of a number of bright prospects in the Paul Nicholls stable including Azertyuiop, who jumped well to win a Gd2 novice at Cheltenham, Nov 17. Indications are that the stable consider this one to be the best of the bunch. It looks like being a cracking Arkle

Farmer Jack always had too much speed for its rivals in comfortably winning a decent novice at Kempton, Jan 18, It will have be one of the main contenders for the Arkle on this showing. The runner-up, Epervier D'Or who had been impressive in winning at Kempton, Dec 27, was made to look slow on this occasion. The faster ground this time was probably not in its favour. Golden Alpha, who impressed when falling at the last with a handicap chase at its mercy, Cheltenham, Dec 14, disappointed for the second time since. I have reduced my original estimate of how it would have got up the hill at Cheltenham, had it not fallen, by 5lb to 150. Its best prospects there would appear to be in the 2m handicap.

Tarxien is having a fine season with a number of wins. Its record on slower ground has improved which I would put down to the fact that it has been ridden with more restraint this season. At Sandown, Feb 1, it won the Gd1 Scilly Isles Novices' from Farmer Jack. The time was only moderate and it is fair to say that its beaten rival looks at its best at 2m on decent ground. Previously Tarxien had just failed to beat Joss Naylor 123, in an even slower contest at Cheltenham Jan 1. Joss Naylor has yet to put in a decent time in three unbeaten runs so far this season. It was considered capable of 150 last season over hurdles at present would give it a capable of 147 over fences.

Adamant Approach may have been weak in the market but never gave its supporters any worries in easily winning at Punchestown Dec 31. It had a slight lead when falling at the last in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. It could well be a threat to all in the Arkle come March. The latest news from the stable is that it may even contest the Champion Hurdle.

It Takes Time was an easy winner of a novice at Haydock, Jan 18 from the staying on The Bajan Bandit, who looks capable of further improvement of 3m+. Sir Remembrandt 138 (now injured for the season) had beaten the winner on its chase debut at Cheltenham, Dec 13. The Pipe trained novice enjoyed the benefit of a slightly more positive ride on this occasion.

There was no doubt that Beef Or Salmon was an improving horse but few would have imagined the progress that it has made so far this season with wins outside novice company at pattern level. The last performance in comfortably winning the Gd1 Ericsson Chase, Dec 28, was its best so far. The time was not great for the quality of the race, hence the rating of only 145+. Hopefully we will get a further clue to its true ability prior to Cheltenham. It is presently amongst the market leaders for the Gold Cup.

Beef Or Salmon's comfortable win in the Gd1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, Leopardstown Feb 9, means that it will almost certainly be contesting the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The questions still to be answered for me are its ability to handle fast ground and also its stamina. Florida Pearl has won the Leopardstown event well in the past but has still struggled up the Cheltenham hill.

The Premier Cat maintained its improvement with a comfortable win over Intelligent, in a Gd3 at Navan, Feb 16. The feature of its wins has been its good jumping.

La Landiere won her sixth chase in her first season when putting up a good display of jumping to beat more experienced rivals in Gunter McBride and Ryalux in the Gd3 Racing Post Handicap Chase, Kempton Feb 22. This was a good effort when compared to most Gd3 Novice chases, however, the race is not as good as it was and the runner up did not jump as well, as when winning last season. That said the winner keeps improving and probably is capable of 145+. Feltham third Bold Investor put in another poor display following its dismal effort in the Great Yorkshire. It can not be written off yet and will find itself on a low mark when it does bounce back.