WITH rain expected from the late morning, the state of play at Cheltenham could take on a totally different outlook, with the ground fancied to turn soft.

That will obviously give a different outlook on the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30) but have an even bigger effect on the latter races, notably the Grand Annual Handicap Chase, due off at 4.50 with no less than 20 horses rampaging around the tight Old Course.

With plenty of pace on here, it could pay to be a mid-div horse or a closer and the likes of AMARILLO SKY, Thyme White and Frero Banbou can all be fancied.

The selection looked like an improving horse when he dotted up at Newbury last time out and, although he has a hike in the weights to deal with, I fancy with a patient ride that Brendan Powell can pounce on the leaders on the uphill finish to the line.

The feature is probably pivotal on how well or not Shishkin and Energumene came out that Ascot race. I think that there is too big a differential in price between the two (4/6 and 7/2) and for that reason the Irish raider would be preferred.

I feel that the ground will have gone against Nube Negra which means that the each-way call for the big one could lie with the fallen star ENVOI ALLEN.

A costly faller in the Marsh Chase last year, he has only been workmanlike in his races to date, but a clear round here on ground he clearly relishes could prove right up his street and he could well be the mover in the market at a top price of 25/1 as I pen this piece.

Rain would also be a minus for the great Tiger Roll in the Cross Country at 4.10 but a massive positive for former winner EASYSLAND — who has reportedly worked brilliantly over these fences in the past week following on from two poor runs over hurdles that were purely just a sighter for this his ultimate aim.

Of course, you need to be a loyal supporter to fancy him here, but at 12/1 he looks the call against the old boy from across the Irish Sea.

As far as the rest of the card is concerned, I can pass on a big shout for INDIGO BREEZE in the Coral Cup at 2.50 on what will be his second start over two-and-a-half miles and his fifth over hurdles.

I make Christopher Wood at a huge price a big player alongside the likes of Good Risk At All (if he gets into the race) and of the shorter priced runners Dans Le Vent has claims following a cracking season.

The last named ran well in a falsely run race last year and will relish a real slug fest on deep ground.

I prefer AMERICAN MIKE over Facile Vega in the bumper at 5.30, and I think FAROUK D’ALENE is an enormous each-way play in the Brown Advisory at 2.10.