The main focus this week surrounded Tranquil Sea's final prep race in the re-routed Newlands Chase at Leopardstown that was abandoned from the following weekend and he couldn't have done it much better. Many have him down as a soft ground horse pure and simple but I am not so sure and believe he will be pressing Poquelin hard for favouritism on the day as the Irish will pile into him being their main challenger.

With regards to Voy Por Ustedes Alan King underlined he had not lost faith in him at his media day last week and, of all his Festival squad he brought out one by one in the blizzard, it was he that was the liveliest kicking and bucking away and the trainer is adamant he will improve greatly for the step back up in trip as was delighted with him in the Game Spirit until they outkicked him turning for home.

Deep Purple may turn up. Evan Williams has said all season this is not his track so he won't run but it would appear that the lure of the Festival may prove too much and he has a chance on his Peterborough Chase form giving weight and a beating to all but the jumping in that race by many was awful and he may have been flattered. He then broke a blood vessel in the William Hill King George VI Chase and has not been seen since. He wouldn't be for me as I think he wants flat tracks.