Howard Johnson looks to be the man to follow at Cheltenham this afternoon and he could easily lift two of the biggest prizes there with Grey Abbey in the Pillar Property Chase and Royal Rosa in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle.

Grey Abbey is unbeaten in four outings for Johnson and this Scottish National winner can enhance his Gold Cup claims at this year's Festival by winning this with some authority.

Although his best efforts have been at Ayr and Wetherby, he's a sound-jumping front-runner who should be equally at home at a course that suits his style of racing and, unless he gets involved in a battle for the lead with Ollie Magern, should go well.

His latest effort, when winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in October, gives him solid claims and he's also worth a small each-way wager at around 25-1 for the Gold Cup itself.

The apple of Johnson's eye is Royal Rosa, who ran his best race to date when last seen in April, coming second to Stayers Hurdle winner Iris's Gift in last year's Martell Hurdle at Aintree.

He's gone well fresh so the lengthy absence isn't a concern and, as he's only had five races to date over hurdles, is almost certainly capable of better in this sphere.

''He is fit and has done nothing wrong,'' his Crook-based handler said last night.

''He went a bit off a fortnight ago so I slackened off on him, but Graham Lee came and rode him out the other day and said the horse was ready.

''We weighed him and he is on a good weight. He looks a picture and the ground will be fine, although a drop of rain wouldn't go amiss.''

Johnston fields Ebor winner Mephisto in the opening novices hurdle but his inexperience could find him out in a race of this nature and preference is for Ian Williams' progressive Brewster.

There's a disappointing turn out for the money on offer in the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase over two miles but an each-way chance is taken with Martin Pipe's Seebald, who is well worth another chance after a poor run over three miles at Kempton.

The ten-year-old is useful on his day, as he showed when making Best Mate pull out all the stops at Exeter, but his best run of last term came at this course, when successful over two miles and five, and a strongly-run race over this trip won't inconvenience him.

Len Lungo doesn't have many runners at this course but the ones he does send down from his Carrutherstown base deserve respect and Brooklyn Breeze is interestingly back over fences in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase over two miles and five.

He's shaped as though retaining ability over hurdles on two starts after a long break of late and, although inexperienced over fences, it's hard to forget how he demolished subsequently useful performer Simply Supreme on his chase debut at Carlisle in late 2003. He's a sporting nap.

At Doncaster, Howard Johnson can also be on the mark with Bewleys Berry, who will appreciate the recent rain and also the step up to three miles.

Although going up in grade, he showed himself worth a place in this line-up with a creditable second to unbeaten and useful Villon at Ayr last time and he's open to plenty of improvement.

Sue Smith can score with Better Days, who reverts to hurdles in the opening handicap over two-and-a-half miles, while her Town Crier, who was fortunate to win at Newcastle last time, may have to play second fiddle to Pak Jack in the two-mile novice chase.

At Ayr, Torkinking is up in the weights after his all-the way success at Newcastle but he's an unexposed sort who is better than that bare form and appeals strongly as the one to beat in the Kennedy Construction Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

Lingfield stages a competitive Flat card and the best bet could be Alan King's Howle Hill, who turned in his best effort when beatingCompton Bolter over course and distance last time.

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