This year's Hennessy Gold Cup form will be under scrutiny when Theatre Guide lines up in the Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.
The six-year-old went into the Newbury showpiece, run over an extended three and a quarter miles on November 30, with question marks over his stamina, but ran a fine race to finish third behind comfortable winner Triolo D'Alene and Rocky Creek.
Colin Tizzard's charge had previously finished third on his seasonal reappearance in an extended two and a half mile graduation chase at Kempton Park on November 4.
Tizzard reported: "Theatre Guide has come out of his Hennessy run very well. He ran a fantastic race that day and I think he is in the form of his life, so that's why we are running him again.
"The trip was always going to be an issue in the Hennessy and we didn't know he would stay as well as he did. He jumped off last, ran through horses and stayed on very well. It just confirmed that he is a good horse.
"This race will suit him fine and it will give him some more experience of Cheltenham. He has suddenly matured and I think the track will be fine for him."
Theatre Guide faces nine rivals, including Murphy Group Handicap Chase runner-up Knockara Beau, Welsh Grand National hero Monbeg Dude and bet365 Gold Cup victor Quentin Collonges.
The £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Handicap Chase (2.40pm) over three miles and seven furlongs has attracted 13 declarations and is the final leg of the Crystal Cup, which brings together a total of 10 races across Europe staged in France, Belgium, Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Great Britain, with combined prize money of almost €700,000.
Devon handler Nick Williams won the Top Trainer for the Crystal Cup in 2012 and is so far ahead in the standings this year that he will bag the prize once again, while his wife Jane is set to be crowned leading owner. The duo are represented tomorrow by Shalimar Fromentro, who was last seen out when falling in the penultimate leg of the Crystal Cup, the Grand Steeple Chase Cross-Country de Compiegne in France on November 9, which was won by his stable companion Maljimar.
Three horses have made the trip over from France for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase. Patrice Quinton, who currently lies second in the trainer standings for the Crystal Cup, runs Shalimar Fromentro and Taiga Des Chambres, while Jean Paul Gasnier is represented by Quercy Du Manoir.
Action gets underway tomorrow at 12.30pm with the £20,000 Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase over two miles and five furlongs in which the Paul Nicholls-trained Wonderful Charm, who is unbeaten in three starts over fences including two Grade Two contests, is set to take on former top-class hurdler Oscar Whisky, who finished runner-up on his chasing debut at The Open on November 15.
A maximum field of 17 goes to post in the £12,000 Caspian Caviar Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase (1.05pm), while 11 line up in the C F Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Handicap Hurdle (1.40pm).
Thomas Crapper, trained by Robin Dickin, attempts a Cheltenham treble in the £22,000 Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3.15pm, 11 declarations), having scored at both The Showcase and The Open already this season.
Friday's action concludes with the £12,000 British Stallion Studs EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle (3.45pm, nine declarations).
