Rhinestone Cowboy can prove punters right and his trainer Jonjo O'Neill wrong by winning tomorrow's Smurfit Champion Hurdle on the thrilling opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Unbeaten this season, Rhinestone Cowboy has been backed down to 2-1 favourite to extend his record in this prestigious event.

But O'Neill, who won this prize as a jockey on that legendary pair Sea Pigeon and Dawn Run, has said that if were riding tomorrow, he would sway against the novice Rhinestone Cowboy and opt for the superior jumping experience of his other runner, Intersky Falcon, whose owners include top Newcastle footballer Alan Shearer.

O'Neill's views are understandable. Intersky Falcon, winner of good races at Newcastle and Kempton this season, is in his second year of hurdling and has created a quick and effective jumping technique, which we have yet to see from Rhinestone Cowboy.

That said, the selection has not made any major ricks, and although he will be hurdling tomorrow at a pace he's never previously encountered, his proven high cruising speed should enable jockey Norman Williamson to get him organized at each of the eight obstacles.

Narrowly beaten by Pizarro in the Festival Bumper here 12 months ago - the only defeat he has suffered in his career - Rhinestone Cowboy has not been asked a serious question since, but he seemingly possesses bags of class, which, hopefully, he will prove tomorrow.

Last year's winner Hors La Loi, together with the tough and talented Rooster Booster and the useful Irish mare Like-A-Butterfly will make matters even more interesting, but, no matter what O'Neill says, Rhinestone Cowboy is the one I'd want to be on at 3-15pm tomorrow for what promises to be a cracking race.

The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy will be another crackerjack, with the unbeaten Azertiyoup, one of trainer Paul Nicholls' bankers of the meeting, bidding to justify favouritism at the main expense of the likewise unbeaten Impek and Isio, the once-beaten Farmer Jack and the Irish raider Adamant Approach.

Azertiyoup is going to take the world of beating, but at around 6-4, he hardly represents value compared to the 6-1 being freely offered about Impek, trained by Henrietta Knight and the mount of Jim Culloty, the partnership responsible for Gold Cup favourite Best Mate on Thursday. At the price, Impek will do for me.

Irish eyes can be smiling after the first and last races.

Back In Front, trained by Edward O'Grady and the mount of Norman Williamson, is strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick of wins in the opening Gerrard Supreme Novices' Hurdle, while Farinel, owned by JP McManus, favourite to become leading owner at the meeting, should not be overlooked in the concluding Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle.

Although his form this season leaves something to be desired, Farinel is trained by the very shrewd Arthur Moore, who is not bringing the seven-year-old from Ireland simply for the good of his health. The Irish grapevine strongly suggests he's worthy of close attention and that has earned him my nap vote.

Jonjo O'Neill's crack novice Joss Naylor makes stacks of appeal in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase, while the ultra-consistent Ibis Rochelais will not be without his contingent of supporters in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Chase.

Tuesday's tips:

CHELTENHAM

2-00 Back To Front; 2-35 Impek; 3-15 Rhinestone Cowboy; 4-00 Joss Naylor; 4-40 Ibis Rochelais; 5-20 Farinel (NAP).

SEDGEFIELD

2-15 Witch's Brew; 2-50 Arthurs Kingdom; 3-30 Bellino Spirit; 4-10 The French Furze; 4-50 Go Nomadic; 5-30 Del Trotter.

- Tomorrow's other card is at Southwell

Updated: 12:26 Monday, March 10, 2003