Fair Along looks cracking each way value at 25/1 in the first handicap chase of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival

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The newly named Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase is the first time of the meeting that punters get to sink their teeth into some handicap action and it looks a typically competitive renewal of the thee mile chase.

Bensalem is the current favourite for the race and it would be a heartwarming end to his recovery from a near fatal illness if he were to jump his way to glory at the Festival on Tuesday.  Alan King will certainly be hoping that a return to fences after two runs over the smaller obstacles will see him get his nose in front and the talented chaser looked on his way to winning this race one year ago.

He remains incredibly well handicapped on his best form and he certainly has the talent to win a race of this nature, but his fall last year is hard to forget and he has never been the finest of jumpers.

Instead, it could be worth taking a chance on the highly admirable Fair Along who remains unexposed as a chaser over three miles.

The selection was lightly raced last season and looked as good as ever when he bolted up in the West Yorkshire Hurdle for the second consecutive year on his seasonal reappearance.  That race came before he disappointed in the Cleeve Hurdle and he was sent for his first run over fences for four years in the Aon Chase last time out.

Fair Along seemed to relish his return to the fences and he put up a fine effort, chasing home high class Paul Nicholls pair Noland and What A Friend, rallying late on to take a hand in the finish with two Grade One winning stars.

He remains on a fair mark, will love the better ground and will be even better if the race if run at a decent pace.  Still unexposed at this trip, he looks a massive price at 25/1 although he will have to be at his very best if he is going to topple the likes of Sunnyhillboy, Reve De Sivola and Great Endeavour in a wide open race.

Nick Wilby’s selection: Fair Along (each-way) 25/1 (William Hill)