The Giant Bolster can shine again on Festival Trials Day

The Giant Bolster comes alive at Cheltenham and looks decent value to land back-to-back successes in the extended 3m 1f feature chase there today (1.50).

The David Bridgwater trained 10-year-old has already won three times on Festival Trials Day, with the latest of those successes coming in this contest 12 months ago.

The 10-year-old stayed on strongly to win going away by seven lengths from Rocky Creek and went to to run a stormer in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when a 3/4 length third of 13 to Lord Windermere.

That was the third time he has finished placed in chasing’s blue riband contest having previously finished runner-up to Synchronised 2012 and fourth to Bobs Worth in 2013.

Although The Giant Bolster has been well beaten in two starts this season, he was far from disgraced last time out when fifth of 9 to Silviniaco Conti in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and traditionally hits form at this time of the year.

The Simon Hunt owned son of Black Sam Bellamy is also 1-1 over course and distance, and with ground conditions holding no fears and Tom Cannon in the saddle it would be no surprise to see him put in a much improved effort now returned to his favourite stomping ground.

Of his rivals, Dynaste has the best piece of form on offer having finished an excellent runner-up to Silviniaco Conti in the King George at Kempton on Boxing day when last seen in action.

The David Pipe trained nine-year-old showed he was a class act when landing Grade 1 Ryanair Chase over 2m 5f at the Festival last year and is the highest rated in the line-up off 167.

However, this will be the first time that the grey has tackled today’s trip and all his best form has come over shorter.

I have a doubt about Dynaste getting home in a truly run race and at the odds on offer The Giant Bolster, who is rated just 3lb below him, looks better value.

Hennessy Gold Cup winner Many Clouds is another worthy of consideration given his progressive profile, and Smad Place can also not be ruled out given his record at the track.