THE ?annual jumping jamboree that is the Cheltemham Festival is fast approaching with, seemingly everyone, having a view on which horse will capture the big prizes.

Can I take the jackpot winner, Steve Whiteley, from Devon to help me choose — after all his haphazard selections did the trick when many a form aficionado would have come a cropper at the first hurdle!

Talking of the Westcountry, I believe our neck of the National Hunt woods will have a major say in the way things pan our at this year's feast of racing.

I have long held a high regard for Menorah, trained by local handler Philip Hobbs.

I am convinced he has all the right credentials to race to victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle — stamina, courage, and a spledid turn of foot, to say nothing about his rider, Richard Johnson, whose syle and determination seem perfectly allied to his mount.

Tony McCoy has acknowledged that Binocular faces a tougher test than last season in his bid to successfully defend his Stan James Champion Hurdle crown.

All of the big names starred among 13 left in the highlight of the first day of the Cheltenham Festival at the six-day stage and McCoy admitted that the presence of a trio of contenders snapping at the hooves of Binocular in the ante-post market means it looks a more difficult race than when he defeated Khyber Kim by three and a half lengths last season.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old is as short as 11-4 to repeat his heroics of 2010 and McCoy said: "It looks a better race than last year with the likes of Hurricane Fly, Peddlers Cross and Oscar Whisky in there.

"I think it is a real good race so he needs to perform to the standard of last year if he is to win again."

Of Hobbs' other runners, I suggest Snap Tie, who is likely to race in the County Hurdle on Friday, the final day of the festival. He is an outsider because of the fact that he has not run for 18 months but he will be fit enough to take a hand.

Other Hobbs' horses to watch for are Kilcrea Kim and Wishful Thinking (hope he doesn't live up to his name!).

Champion handler Paul Nicholls has his usual strong hand of festival fancies and I fancy one with a Westcountry name — The Minack, named after the open air theatre at Porthcurnow in Cornwall, at a fair price.

In the Queen Mother Champion Chase — one of my favourite contests — try Woolcombe Folly; Jessies Dream in the RSA Chase; David Pipe's Junior in the Fulke Waywyn/Kim Muir Challenge Cup, and Dermot Weld's Unaccompanied in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

I won't oppose Big Bucks to take a third Ladbroke's World Hurdle.

Now for the Totesport Gold Cup, the last big race of the four-day festival. I think it's wide open despite the presence of former winners Kauto Star, Denman and last year's victor Imperial Commander. If you want an outsider, try Kempes, who has Grade One form but still needs to step up to this level.

If you fancy backing a jockey in order to have a 'runner' in lots of races for a small outlay, try Richard Johnson (14-1) or Barry Geraghty (11-4), although Ruby Walsh (5-4) must hold the whip hand at this stage.

Trainer wise, back Willie Mullins (best odds 7-1) or Donald McCain (best 33-1).

At this stage, the going looks likel to be good to soft or even good.

Have a great festival and let's hope all the horses and jockeys finish safe and well.

Keith Whitford.