Road To Cheltenham 2024: Dysart Enos fancied for Festival glory

'Twas the week before Christmas, and The Road To Cheltenham panel all agreed on one thing - Dysart Enos is gifted enough to hand trainer Fergal O'Brien his first-ever Cheltenham Festival win.

"Very, very impressed" was just one of the assessments made about the unbeaten mare, who is now 4/1 at Betfred to win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Matt Hulmes, Frankie Foster and Joel Ross also discussed Willie Mullins' Fun Fun Fun, who also appeared over the weekend, in the same division. Reviews weren't quite as positive, it's fair to say...

There was a confidence - a quiet confidence, I'd say - behind Shanagh Bob, who won the G2 Albert Bartlett trial for Nicky Henderson at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Speaking more generally about the Grade 1 version in March, Frankie mentioned a horse - billed as an "absolute machine" - that I myself have tipped up for the race in my weekly antepost column. What is it they say about great minds thinking alike?

Such was the quality and quantity of racing over the last seven days, there were many more horses discussed - namely Broadway Boy, Protektorat, Broadway Boy and Blood Destiny.

A poignant discussion also took place about the Cross Country race, which was marred by the passing of the extremely popular Gesskille. In particular, it was Henry Brooke's emotional ITV interview that was heavily praised by the guys.

As for the race itself, all were in agreement about the horse to take from it...

Watch the full episode below to find out who that is - and be sure to tune in on January 8 for the next episode of The Road To Cheltenham.