'Majborough is certainly not bombproof - and this 66-1 chance is an interesting alternative'

The sport's top judges answer the key Cheltenham Festival questions. Next up it's top tipster Neil Channing

What's the best bet for the meeting?

I love the handicaps and my favourite race is the Ultima. I've had a good look at it and trends that are really important are ten-year-olds and above have a terrible record, as do the Irish. The Old course is more suitable for hold-up horses than the New course and stamina really counts in this. I've backed two in the race, but the one I really fancy is Katate Dori. Sam Thomas is a brilliant trainer who didn't have a great season last term, which means his horses are really well handicapped, and if you backed his runners this year you'd be smashing it out of the park. This horse has gone up in the weights but he's improving up the handicap, which is much easier to do as a hold-up horse.

Can anything stop Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle?

I'm pretty sure I've never backed Constitution Hill, but I don't know why people are laying him. It'll be a small field, State Man is coming off a poor season and while Brighterdaysahead will be a big danger, Constitution Hill is a mad price and I've had an absolute lump on him. The price is wrong and he should be shorter.