BEST-PRICED 16-1 shot Truckers Tavern (3.15) has to be worth an each-way punt in his attempt to lower the colours of odds-on favourite Best Mate in this afternoon's Blue Riband of chasing, the £350,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Best Mate is the obvious form pick to complete a historic third win in the big race, however at 1-2 he hardly represents any value considering there are 22 fences to be jumped, as well as nine rivals to overcome.

Truckers Tavern, who got to within ten lengths of Henrietta Knight's reigning champion 12 months ago, comes into the extended three-and-a-quarter-mile Grade One chase in terrific nick.

"I've never had him so good, he's a far better horse than he was last year," said trainer Ferdy Murphy, not known for over egging the pudding when it comes to pre-race hype.

There's absolutely no doubt the handsome nine-year-old is primed to perfection following a recent spin at Carlisle, although the fact he unseated his rider, Tony Dobbin, over course and distance last time out remains a slight worry.

Comfortingly, Murphy isn't fazed by the mishap. "My horses were all wrong at the time. More of a concern is the possibility of fast ground, which wouldn't really suit Truckers Tavern," he warned.

So many of the market leaders have been beaten out of sight on the first two days of the fixture, the omens for 5-1 Triumph Hurdle favourite Trouble At Bay (2.00) might not at first glance appear so good.

But this is one head of the betting I want to be involved with on the strength of his scintillating string of victories after being switched from the Flat to hurdles by his able trainer, Alan King.

Beaten just once, and that on his debut, Trouble At Bay has since reeled off a magnificent five-timer, including twice over track and trip in his preparation for today's £100,000 two-mile-and-one-furlong showpiece.

Using the old adage "horses for courses", so vital when assessing the form at Cheltenham, Trouble At Bay's obvious liking for the place sways me to believe he will be very hard to pass once Robert Thornton presses the button when heads turn for home.

Owner David Johnson's famous blue and green silks have already graced the winner's enclosure on many occasions at the meeting, boding well for the chances of Seebald (4.35) in the Grand Annual Chase.

Seebald has plunged 14lbs down the weights in recent months and has now become an extremely well-handicapped individual, considering Tony McCoy's mount still held every chance when falling in the 2003 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Unfortunately the 24-runner Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle could hardly be described as a suitable race for getting-out stakes if you've lost all your dough at the Festival.

In view of the fact that yesterday's Coral Cup hero, Monkerhostin, has been declared for the contest, an each-way investment on the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding should at least ensure backers get a run for their money.

Away from the glitz and glamour of the headquarters of jump racing, Looking Forward (5.20) must not be ignored at Hexham.

Looking Forward only has a 7lb penalty to shoulder for his success at Sedgefield on Tuesday, potentially nothing like enough to stop him recording his second win within 48 hours.

* Total Enjoyment's success in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper has propelled Jim Culloty to favouritism in the betting for the Daily Telegraph Award for the Cheltenham Festival's leading jockey. Bookmakers William Hill and the tote make the rider 2-1 favourite for the prize, with Timmy Murphy next at a best-priced 100-30 with Hills