TWENTY SIX Cheltenham entries will be put through their final paces both at Naas today and Fairyhouse tomorrow, headed by Queen Mother Champion Chase bound Strong Platinum, whose task in today's Q.K. Cold Stores Newlands Chase looks relatively easy.

Connections will be hoping for good ground at the Festival meeting for Strong Platinum, who is one of the fastest and most accurate of jumpers seen for some time. Arguably, he ran his best race ever when beaten a length and a half by Imperial Call in a handicap chase at Leopardstown last month.

He hated the heavy ground and was conceding 12lb to the winner - subsequently promoted second favourite for the Gold Cup after his victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Of his four rivals today, Opera Hat is engaged in Cheltenham's Coral Cup and Who's To Say in the Grand Annual chase.

In the Johnstown Novice Hurdle, all but Mulkev Prince are nominated for the Sun Alliance Hurdle. Little Buck, who gave 8lb and half a length beating to Native Joy at Fairyhouse last time out, is taken to complete his hat trick.

Coral Cup engaged Bohemian Castle is also on a hat trick mission in the Supporters Handicap Hurdle. Andrew Mc Namara's charge was quite impressive in beating Glint Of Eagles over this track last month and can now hold low up at the expense of Consharon, who is engaged in the Hamlet Cigars Gold up Handicap Hurdle.

Glint Of Eagles, who is nominated for the County Handicap Hurdle, carried top weight to success in a two mile handicap hurdle over this course early last month and will now be fancied to win the Robertstown Handicap Hurdle.

The choice, however, is Miltonfield, trained by John Mulhern, who was short headed by Beakstown at Leopardstown,