Forestal appeals as a sound wager in today's Mitsubishi Shogun Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, the feature race on the first day of the Murphy's Irish Craic meeting.

The six-year-old fetched 51,000 guineas when bought out of Sirrell Griffiths' yard at the Doncaster sales last August. Now in the care of Howard Johnson, he made a fine start over fences last season, winning twice before pulling up on his two subsequent outings and reportedly finished lame on his final run.

But there was no evidence of any problem when Forestal reappeared at Wetherby last month.

Trying two and a half miles for the first time, he led six out and galloped on strongly to beat Master Boston by an easy six lengths.

Forestal appears still to be on the upgrade over fences and can defy a 5lb rise in the ratings to land this contest.

Song Of The Sword can continue his education over fences with victory in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase.

Bred to win a Classic, being by Kris out of Irish Oaks winner Melodist, Jim Old's charge is unbeaten in three starts over the larger obstacles, winning at Aintree and Huntingdon in May and over course and distance in October.

The five-year-old comfortably defeated Shore Party on his last appearance and can confirm form with that rival on 2lb better terms.

McGregor The Third can register his third win in the £25,000-added Sporting Index Cross Country Chase.

Nicky Richards' 12-year-old won this contest, run over a variety of obstacles in the middle of the Prestbury Park course, in its first two runnings in 1995 and 1996.

He was robbed of a chance of a third successive victory last year after developing a runny nose and cough but did win a similar race on New Year's Day.

McGregor The Third, who has not raced since March, is reported well forward and can land this valuable contest once again.

Gaelic Blue can follow up his recent Towcester win with victory in the St Modwen Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

A useful and progressive novice, the son of Celtic Cone did not regain his form last season but made an encouraging reappearance this time around.

The Sue Smith-trained gelding beat Fortunes Course by 12 lengths in an admittedly weak contest but if he is back to his best form, there should be more improvement to come.

Arrange also looks worth a bet at Gosforth Park in the Stannington Novices' Hurdle.

A promising 10-length second to Market Scan at Carlisle on his hurdling debut, Ferdy Murphy's six-year-old would not have to improve a great deal to win this.

The day's other meeting is on the all-weather at Southwell where Indian Swinger can capture the Tulip Nursery Handicap over seven furlongs.

James Eustace's charge stayed on well to score over six furlongs here last month and should relish the extra distance of this race.

Any Port is a last-minute addition to the Irish challenge at Cheltenham on Sunday. Trained by Tony Martin, Any Port was to have tried to repeat last year's success in the Sean Graham Handicap Chase at Ayr tomorrow. However with the going soft at Ayr, Martin has decided to reroute the mare to Cheltenham where Adrian Maguire will have the mount.