FAIR ALONG'S Cheltenham experiences have been mixed up to now but the smallest horse in the Queen Mother Champion Chase field looks a decent price to produce the biggest performance in the Day Two festival centrepiece.

A race that has been built up as a mini-Gold Cup in terms of the Paul Nicholls team dominating the betting with both Master Minded and Twist Magic also has the element of the reigning champ Voy Por Ustedes returning to defend his title.

Unlike the Gold Cup, the two-mile championship has a decent record in terms of horses successfully coming back and Alan King's star has a real Cheltenham pedigree having also landed the 2006 Arkle here.

Compared to him and indeed the 2006 champion Newmill, who leads a three-strong Irish team, Fair Along's track pedigree is more of a mixed bag.

Philip Hobbs's six-year-old is a Grade Two winner around the track, something that contributed to him starting favourite for last year's Arkle.

That could hardly have gone worse for Fair Along, however, as he was knocked sideways at the start and couldn't dominate from the front as he likes.

In the circumstances his dogged determination to finish runner-up to My Way De Solzen was a fine effort and confirmation of his ability to act around here that a 2006 second in the Triumph Hurdle backs up.

Hobbs has given him just two starts this term after reports of a back problem but there was plenty to like about his comeback at Ascot when he led Kauto Star to the second last over two miles five furlongs before understandably tiring.

"I was really pleased with his run at Ascot after a winter break and he has come on for that," Hobbs said yesterday.

"He has a bit to find with the rest of them but we're hopeful. He's in very good form."

The ability to stay further than two miles can often be a distinct advantage around here, and especially so with a dig in the ground.

As a horse placed in a Cesarewitch, stamina will be a Fair Along strongpoint and easier ground could also place less of a strain on his jumping which has looked slightly suspect on occasion in the past.

Any overnight rain would not be a help for Voy Por Ustedes and it won't be a bonus for Twist Magic either.

The Nicholls team insist there is nothing between him and Master Minded but Ruby Walsh's decision to plump for the ex-French horse still looks significant.

Master Minded is reportedly working brilliantly at home and there was a fluidity to his Game Spirit win at Newbury that was undeniably impressive.

From as early as the cross-fence that day, he had Voy Por Ustedes cold.

One quibble though might be that he didn't pull away from the reigning champ in a way he looked sure to entering the home straight.

Another to enter calculations is Tamarinbleu whose Victor Chandler defeat of Twist Magic puts him bang in there with a chance.

In the face of such opposition, the Irish team look to face an uphill struggle although Mansony's versatility in terms of ground will be a big help to Arthur Moore's double Grade One winning star.

Moore's race pedigree, twice a winner with Drumgora and Klairon Davis, is a bonus too.

However, if there's a value threat to what could be termed the "big four" in the betting it looks like coming from Fair Along.

The little horse has a big score to settle with Cheltenham and there will be no better stage to do it than at 3.15 this afternoon.

Tony Sweeney's Three to follow

2-0: WHATUTHINK (each way).

All six favourites were beaten yesterday and the each way value here could be outsider Whatuthink. A sick horse last time out fifth to Forpadydeplasterer who is the likely favourite here.

Yet Whatuthink had previously won the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown from Forpadydeplasterer, Cork All Star and Majestic Concorde.

3-15: MASTER MINDED (N.B.) Ruby Walsh could have ridden Twist Magic, another of the market leaders but has opted for Master Minded, the youngster of the party.

An all the way 5l winner at Newbury from Voy Por Ustedes he may have an edge on that Cheltenham specialist even on 6lb worse terms.

5-20: ZAARITO (NAP).

In what is an authentic bumper championship winners are penalty free, an encouraging pointer where Zaarito is concerned as he is not merely unbeaten but is the only three race winner lining up.

The times yesterday indicated that a genuine stayer was needed and Zaarito, an 8l winner in soft grounds at Naas (2m) from Our Matti, is a son of Tiraaz, one of the best stayers to carry the Aga Khan colours over the last decade.