This race is another recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival and made its debut in 2005. Many pundits and commentators were doubtful about the addition of a four year handicap hurdle at this meeting and some feel that it has taken something away from the main juvenile event – the Triumph Hurdle.

Putting that argument to one side for the moment it does or rather has given Cheltenham the chance to pay tribute to one of its favourite sons in Fred Winter who was not only one of the greatest jockeys of his era but went on to make an indelible mark on the training ranks also, winning most of the major races including two Grand Nationals and the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdles.

With a race as new as this it is always going to take a while to pin down the type of horse that is needed to win it but already it has become apparent unlike some of the other handicaps at the Festival that the winner is not tucked away down the bottom of the handicap. Five of the six winners – last year’s winner Sanctuaire included – have come from the top third of the weights. It would appear that the class acts in this handicap are capable of giving away the weight in this race and the Cheltenham racing betting will no doubt reflect this.

Once again it often pays to follow particular trainers in certain races at the Festival and it would appear that the David Pipe stable has developed a real penchant for this race – they won it in 2007 with Gaspara and since then have suffered three near misses with two seconds and a third in the race – last year’s second Grand Crus has looked a useful tool this year and with Festival experience he should be kept in mind for this year’s events at the Festival – he currently holds an entry in the World Hurdle having improved since his defeat last year and any Cheltenham 2011 bets placed on him could reap dividends.

What is noticeable about this race though is that the last five winners came here off the back of a win and clearly winning form will stand you in good stead in a race which commemorates a real winner – Fred Winter.