Odds on at Cheltenham

There's no need to fear the favourite in tomorrow's opening race at the Cheltenham Festival. If Cue Card obliges in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Paddy Power will refund ALL losing single bets.

The five-year-old, available at 9-4, has done little wrong this season since romping home in the Champion Bumper at last year's Festival, winning twice and finishing runner-up behind Champion Hurdle contender Menorah when stepping out of novice company for the first time.

But with good ground expected for the first day of the annual betting bloodbath, we're happy to take him on with Al Ferof, a lively outsider at 8-1 who finished eight lengths behind Cue Card in the Bumper.

The six-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls, won impressively on his last start, at Newbury, and will benefit with having Ruby Walsh on board.

It's not tricky for Nicky

Nicky Henderson needs four winners to become the most successful Festival trainer, which makes him a great bet at 2-1 to be the leading handler over the next four days.

Despite the setback with Binocular, he brings arguably his strongest-ever team to the Festival, with big runs expected from the likes of Spirit Son (Supreme Novices), Finian's Rainbow (Arkle), Aegean Dawn (Coral Cup) and Aigle D'Or (Festival Plate).

His only rival for the title will be Paul Nicholls (7-4). Barry Geraghty, who will ride many of Henderson's challengers, is 5-2 to be top Festival jockey behind 6-4 favourite Ruby Walsh.