DonaldMcCain

13:30 2m Grade 1 Hurdle

Cinders And Ashes

I've always thought a lot of him and he has been going well at home since his last run. There has been lots of talk about him doing his winning on heavy ground but that's because I have made him run on heavy ground, not because he wants it. I fully expect him to improve for the better ground, his hurdling has been very slick so far and he has to go there with a leading chance.

Agent Archie

He has crept under the radar a bit but he has been bouncing at home since he won at Newcastle and that run has brought him forward. I think my fears that he might be a flat-track 2m horse may have been slightly misplaced and Jason [Maguire] doesn't think the track will bother him at all. If I didn't have Cinders And Ashes in the race, I would be delighted with Agent Archie and he does look a big price at 33/1.

14:40 3m Handicap Chase

Our Mick

He is up against some more experienced horses here and he might not be thrown in off his current mark, but I am sure he will improve for this longer trip and, if he does, he has to be considered. He is still a novice and he will need to jump well - if he can get into a nice rhythm in the early part of the race though, I can see him going well.

15:20 Champion Hurdle

Overturn

He's absolutely bouncing at home and I couldn't be more pleased with him at this stage. It's hard to imagine we could have got any faster ground for the first day of the Festival than we have and that is in his favour. He's fresh and well, and his recent piece of work at Bangor was spectacular - I'm under no illusions about this being easy, but he will go out and do his thing and it will be up to the others to try and catch him.

16:40 2m4f Grade 2 Hurdle

Dorabelle

You wouldn't think she would be good enough in a race like this but she's a well-bred mare and if she could sneak some Black Type then it would be a huge bonus.

17.15 2m4f Handicap Chase

Charminster

He's in grand nick at home and this has been the plan for some time. He had the fright of his life when he ran here in January - having been used to small-field events up north, he found things happening considerably quicker and took a while to sort his jumping out. He did get better as the race went on though, he proved his stamina for the trip and the strong pace and big fences shouldn't be so alien to him this time. He has been schooled hard since that run, his work has been very good and if he can get into a nice rhythm in the early stages, I think he could run a very big race.

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