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Cheltenham Open Meeting Day Three: Nicholls' is mustard keen on Super Formen

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Stolen whips, a massive Scoop6 rollover and a typically thrilling Paddy Power Gold Cup won by Imperial Commander, Cheltenham's Open Meeting has had a little bit of everything so far and Racing UK pundit Graham Cunningham has been casting his eye over the best of the day three action in search of a winner or two.

1.10

Ruby Walsh plainly feels Tatenen is better than Poquelin and I'm inclined to agree. But what price is the right price about this exciting four-year-old?

Tatenen wasn't over raced last season and jumped boldly when bolting up at Aintree on his chasing debut. He has the added bonus of a weight allowance for being a four-year-old and, for all that the opposition looks strong, he fully deserves to head the market at [2.3] or shorter.

Of the rest, Straw Bear wasn't knocked about at Exeter. All the same, it was disappointing that he failed to quicken at a crucial stage and a bigger danger to Tatenen may come from I'm So Lucky, who didn't beat a lot at Newton Abbot but jumped like a horse with plenty more to offer over fences.

1.45

This looks tough, as most of the field have either been off for a lengthy period or failed to deliver last time out. I find it hard to see Andreas being good enough to land a handicap off a mark of 162 on softish ground, while Moon Over Miami impressed at this meeting last year but has been very hit and miss since and failed to fire on his reappearance.

Tramantano looks more reliable after his gutsy Aintree win, while the unexposed Acambo appeals as the type to improve considerably now he goes left handed for the first time over fences, but the each way value could lie with Sou'wester.

Colin Tizzard's gelding is best forgiven a recent defeat here as he sprawled badly at the first and lost all chance. His jumping is normally a big asset and his record last year was one of constant improvement.

2.20

Nicky Henderson has been flying high in valuable handicap hurdles and it has to be significant that Aigle D'Or does duty for him here rather than recent big winners like Chomba Wombaand Sentry Duty. Granted, this ex-French gelding flopped at the Festival, but he looked a cracking prospect before that reverse and his proven stamina will be a valuable asset on this holding ground.

Ashkazar has headed the market all week and will be nudging Champion Hurdle class if he can defy topweight and a BHA mark of 147. He's an exciting hurdler but doesn't look great value at current odds, while Rippling Ring's ability to come up this hill on soft ground remains questionable.

Blue Bajan is also worth a mention given that he came home strongly at Ascot, but Aigle D'Or is almost certainly open to more improvement in good company this season and has to be the main bet with his stable in such splendid form.

2.55

It looks as though Tony Martin means business given that he has booked AP McCoy to ride Leg Spinner for the first time. An excellent fifth in the Cesarewitch off a mark of 102 suggests the Irish raider is primed to run a big one here, but he does face some very promising rivals from the biggest British yards.

Paul Nicholls seemed mustard keen on Super Formen in his Racing Post column and this four-year-old shaped as if well worth trying over a longer trip when third behind the fast-improving Crack Away Jack at Chepstow.

Ballydub is completely unexposed after a gutsy Newbury success. Three miles will suit him before long, while Quilinton went down fighting behind Ouzbeck at Market Rasen but needs to remain on the up in order to defy a stiff looking mark of 131.

A wide open market seems guaranteed, but Leg Spinner and Super Formen look the pair with most to recommend them. Martin has often said that good ground helps Leg Spinner, but Super Formen has no problem in the mud and a 2lb rise for his Chepstow run looks fair enough in the circumstances.