Kasbah looks blissful choice

DUBAI - Today's Cheltenham Festival action is highlighted by the World Hurdle and Ryanair Chase, both Group 1 events with hot favourites.

Voy Por Ustedes is strongly expected to win the latter race, with Our Vic perhaps his main danger. The World Hurdle, a stayers' race over three miles, looks an ideal opportunity for Kasbah Bliss to go a place better than last year when he chased home Inglis Drever.

You will not get rich on either though, while Friday's highlight, The Gold Cup, the feature event of the week, is expected to be a repeat of 2008 when Denman beat 2007 winner Kauto Star. Both are trained by Paul Nicholls but the likes of Neptune Collonges and Madison Du Berais have emerged as serious challengers and it promises to be an intriguing renewal.

Tomorrow's other Group 1 is the Triumph Hurdle when David Pipe's Master of Arts will go close to making it two from two over hurdles after his impressive debut at Doncaster in January. He has actually won his last seven starts after six flat wins but he did cost new connections 310,000 guineas.