Horse Racing: Abragante fresh and ready to go; CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 1: NEWSBOY'S VERDICTS.

4.00 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m 110y)

ABRAGANTE is a hard horse to predict but gets on well with Timmy Murphy and is capable of a decent run at rewarding odds.

Kidded to victory by Murphy in a valuable handicap chase at Wincanton in November, the David Pipe (left)-trained seven-year-old was then well beaten in the Hennessy and pulled up here a fortnight later.

But the selection, who has gone well at Cheltenham in the past, will benefit from an 87-day lay-off and, with Murphy back on board, can bounce back to form.

2.00 Anglo-Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2m 110y)

CAPTAIN CEE BEE holds strong claims in the most open renewal of Cheltenham's curtainraiser for many years.

J P McManus's seven-year-old was having just his second start over hurdles when running away with a conditions hurdle at Punchestown last November.

He has plenty to find to win an average Supreme Novices', but has plenty of untapped potential and can take his record over timber to three wins from three starts.

2.35 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2m)

CLOPF, who would be two from two over fences but for knuckling over on landing at Navan last month, can land a below-par Arkle.

A top-level winner over hurdles as a novice, Edward O'Grady's seven-year-old was in control, having jumped soundly, and had the Grade 2 event at his mercy.

He has plenty of improvement to come and can expose the chinks in the armour of favourite Noland, who failed to impress when landing the odds at Sandown last month.

4.40 BGC Cross Country Chase (3m 7f)

WONDERKID racked up an easy victory over this course and distance in November and looks good for a repeat.

Trained by scourge of the bookies Tony Martin, the eight-year-old raced to a comfortable eight-length call over Heads Onthe Ground, the winner of this race last year.

Wonderkid, who had a spin over hurdles last month, has to overcome an 11lb higher mark today but is expected to prove up to the job.

5.20 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle (2m 5f)

ASHKAZAR (NAP) can net a pounds 75,000 bonus for adding this race to his win in Saturday's Imperial Cup at Sandown.

David Pipe's four-year-old didn't take much out of himself when beating Fredensborg by three and a half lengths at the weekend.

He is well in under a 4lb penalty for that success and can reward his connections' decision to come here in preference to Friday's Triumph Hurdle.