FESTIVAL Trials Day at Cheltenham was a real winner — with plenty of pointers to the big four-day meeting in March.

The predicted wet weather failed to materialise and in its place was a dry, often sunny day.

I was impressed by several horses, including Walkon who advertised his credentials for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with a strong performance when winning the in the Grade II Wragge and Co Finesse Hurdle on January 24.

To me, Nicky Henderson's charge is a good bet despite the presence of Zaynar, who has been installed as favourite for March.

The race has attracted 83 entries, including 20 from Ireland and promises to live up to its reputation as a hot betting heat and a fine contest.

Nick Williams's Diam­ond Harry did the business at odds-on in the Raceource of the year Classic Novices Hurdle and is now entered in the Grade I Ballymore Properties Hurdle but it is an extremely difficult race to win, despite his unbeaten run and runner-up Bensalem also ran an excellent race and could well turn the tables come the festival. Don't forget Bensalem trainer Alan King's festival record!

Big Buck's is another I liked. Trainer Paul Nicholls napped him, in effect, in his regular Racing Post column on the Saturday — and with Ruby Walsh's considerable help, he won a tough encounter with favourite Punchestowns and the dour Fair Along.

At the turn for home, Punchestowns seemed sure to frank himself as the heir apparent but with Fair Along plugging on and Ruby almost lifting Big Buck's into the last, the race was back in the balance.

Nicky Henderson, the trainer of Punchestowns, said that was when the 8lb weight advantage enjoyed by the winner started to tell. "Put it this way, we've got a little up our sleeve."

His horse remains joint favourite to claim Inglis Drever's World Hurdle title in seven weeks, alongside the French challenger Kasbah Bliss, who Francois Doumen believes can topple the big two.

Paul Nicholls was very pleased by Big Buck's four-length victory, a vindication of the champion trainer's decision to switch his six-year-old back to hurdles. Big Buck's, remember, might well have won the Hennessy Gold Cup if Sam Thomas not been unseated at the last fence.

"I've got a lot of faith in this horse's ability," said Nicholls. "We've got Kauto Star and Denman as chasers, so why not go back to hurdles?"

If you are looking for a big outsider ante-post in the Arkle, what about I'm So Lucky?

WATCH out for more Cheltenham Festival news online.

Keith Whitford.