This race takes place before the Gold Cup and is open to novices aged 4 and above. It is run over a gruelling 3m as is the World Hurdle, and this race may point to future stars of that event. You need to find a thorough stayer to last up the Cheltenham hill when rivals are running on empty.

The country’s leading potato grower and packer sponsor the race so you will be hoping your horse does not perform like a sack of spuds on raceday. It is a fairly new addition to the festival and has only been part of the calendar since 2005, but was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2008.

Jonjo O’Neill won the race in consecutive years (2006 and 2007) with well fancied runners that returned at evens and 11-8 favourites. In 2014 the race had its second 33/1 winner in the shape of Very Wood, the other was also Irish, Berties Dream in 2010.