Hussard Collonges, the big local hope at Cheltenham this week, can hit the jackpot tomorrow by winning the £350,000 Tote Gold Cup for Brandsby trainer Peter Beaumont and Great Habton jockey Russ Garritty.

In what promises to be a thrilling contest, highlighted by the presence of Best Mate, who is bidding to become the first horse since L'Escargot more than 30 years ago to gain back-to-back victories in steeplechasing's Blue Riband, Hussard Collonges has a wonderful chance of coming out on top.

Beaumont knows what it takes to win a Gold Cup, having taken the spoils with Jodami a decade ago, and in his latest star he has a horse with rock-solid credentials.

Winner of the hotly-contested Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase at this meeting 12 months ago, Hussard Collonges has been beaten in all his three races this season. But on each occasion, he ran a blinder.

In need of the outing when chasing home Marlborough at Wetherby, he then carried 11st 4lb into fifth place in the competetive Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, conceding lumps of weight to all four horses who finished ahead of him, most notably 18lb to the winner Be My Royal.

And, on his last start, he finished second to Truckers Tavern in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, after trying to give the useful winner (also in tomorrow's field) no less than 15lb.

A sound jumper and stayer, who is likely to be up in the front-rank throughout, Hussard Collonges is readily available at around 8-1 and those each-way value odds make far more appeal than the 6-4 offered about the favourite Best Mate.

Successful from Commanche Court in this race last year, Henrietta Knight's charge has won both his races since, but he was all out to beat Marlborough in the King George and, on the face of it, does not have anything like as much in hand as his odds would suggest.

Beef Or Salmon has done everything right in Ireland this season and is clearly a talented horse, but he remains a novice and the question mark is whether this Gold Cup bid is a year too soon. Commanche Court and See More Business, second and third last year, can be relied upon to run well again, while the 25-1 offered about Marlborough looks tempting for each-way punters seeking an outsider.

But my nap vote goes to Hussard Collonges to bring the 2003 Gold Cup back to North Yorkshire.

Iris's Gift can topple the big two, Baracouda and Limestone Lad, in the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle, tomorrow's principal supporting race.

Baracouda, winner of this race last year, has not looked quite as invincible this time around, while Limestone Lad, for all his qualities, and prolific winning record, is probably a better horse in Ireland. As for Iris's Gift, only a novice, he has grown in confidence and stature all season and there's every chance he can prove equal to this tough test.

Kingscliff will be all the rage in the Christies' Foxhunter Chase, as will multiple-winner La Landiere in the Cathcart Challenge Cup.

Tim Easterby's Turgeonev, another of Russ Garritty's mounts, has each-way claims in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup, while the first and last races on the card look devillisly difficult to solve. Try two Irish raiders - Mutineer in the Triumph Hurdle, and Turtleback in the County Hurdle.

Thursday's tips:

CHELTENHAM

2-00 Mutineer; 2-35 Iris's Gift; 3-15 Hussard Collonges (NAP); 4-00 Kingscliff; 4-35 Turgeonev; 5-10 La Landiere; 5-45 Turtleback.

HEXHAM

2-15 Able Native; 2-50 Fred's In The Know; 3-30 Vicars Destiny; 4-10 Roman Outlaw; 4-45 Menelek Lord; 5-20 Grangewick Flight.

- Tomorrow's other meeting is at Southwell.

- Today's meeting at Newton Abbot was abandoned because of waterlogging.

Updated: 12:33 Wednesday, March 12, 2003