sport news CHELTEHAM SPECIAL: Five at the Festival to watch out for including an underdog ... trends now CHELTEHAM SPECIAL: Five at the Festival to watch out for this week including a Gavin Cromwell hope chasing a hat-trick and a chance of an underdog story in the Gold Cup There should be a stirring reception for dual Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle Hewick can complete fairytale rise by claiming Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham There will be a poignant running of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Thursday By Sam Turner Published: 22:32 GMT, 11 March 2023 | Updated: 22:32 GMT, 11 March 2023 Viewcomments There's just a few days to go before the greatest show on turf gets underway at Cheltenham on Tuesday. The Irish contingent have dominated the Festival in recent years, claiming 23 of the 28 races in 2021. But the home side put up a fight by claiming 10 victories last year. With Nicky Henderson seemingly as strong as ever and Paul Nicholls assembling his most powerful squad for a while, there is hope Britain can avoid another landslide loss in the Cotswolds. Sportsmail's SAM TURNER picks out five at the Festival to watch this week. Hewick can complete his fairytale rise by claiming Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham this week Tuesday Win or lose there should be a stirring reception for dual Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle, who is due to have her final race in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, a race she won in 2020, before being retired to stud. Wednesday Energumene, who always runs in the colours of Brighton & Hove Albion, defends his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, with Alan King’s Edwardstone looking like his main danger. Thursday Flooring Porter’s season has been disrupted by injury. It looked like he might miss the Festival but trainer Gavin Cromwell has nursed him back and he will try to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the third year running. There will be a poignant running of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle because it carries the name of Jack de Bromhead, son of trainer Henry de Bromhead who lost his life in a pony racing fall aged 13 in September. Henry’s hope is Magical Zoe . Friday There is quality in the Gold Cup but also a chance of an underdog story if Hewick wins. The gelding has risen through the ranks to pull off a string of wins including the American Grand National, having cost trainer Shark Hanlon just 850 euros Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility