Last minute plans are being finalised as the Cheltenham Festival comes into the spotlight.

But trainers and connections have been tearing their hair out as training plans have been shredded by some of the severest weather that the United Kingdom and Ireland has experienced in the last few years.

So given the last few months of snow, frost, ice and rain it came as surprise that the Cheltenham authorities are watering the turf in preparation for the Festival.

Hopefully they know what they are doing and will not make the going artificially soft, therefore adversely affecting the chances of the top of the ground horses.

The 4to1.com horse racing team has some nags short listed and plans to make several sorties into the betting ring during the four day extravaganza.

We will likely let the showcase Gold Cup event pass, where it looks difficult, bordering on impossible, to oppose the front two Kauto Star and Denman – who are 4/5 (1.80) and 7/2 (4.50) respectively in the ante post in the betting lists.

4/5 Dunguib in the Supreme Novices hurdle; similarly priced Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and 8/13 (1.615) Big Bucks in the World Hurdle are the other three early [so called] ante post bankers.

The 4to1.com team may oppose at least one of the last three.

Join us from Tuesday 16 March as we try to help you make the four days pay.