THE BIGGEST WEEK in the racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival, is upon us once again.

Thanks to William Hill, top racing journalist Johnny Ward will be bringing you tips over the coming days.

Here are three to consider for Wednesday, 11 March… 

Updated at 12.00 – Chacun Pour Soi has been declared a non-runner in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30)

Envoi Allen — 5/4 (Ballymore Novice Hurdle, 1.30)

Envoi Allen (5/4) can get punters off to a winning start in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle (1.30). He is unbeaten so far and, though there was a late scare in that he might have been rerouted to the Supreme, the original plan prevails.

A brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper last year, Gordon Elliott’s charge finds an extra gear for pressure, which will likely be called upon here as he takes on some really exciting sorts in The Big Getaway, The Big Breakaway and Sporting John.

The mount of Davy Russell is the banker of many for the week and justifiably so, with William Hill 33/1 that he wins the Gold Cup in two seasons’ time!

Battleoverdoyen 11/1 — (RSA Chase, 2.10)

Another selection, Battleoverdoyen (11/1) in a sparkling RSA Chase (2.10), is also ridden by Russell for Gordon Elliott. This horse will relish the ease in the ground and, whilst he fell behind Faugheen at Leopardstown, the signs are he is far better than that.

Chacun Pour Soi — 11/8 (Queen Mother Champion Chase, 3.30)

What a shame that Altior has been a late defection from the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30) on Wednesday, day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

This was the three-horse race of the week, pitting the champion against both Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi, but no longer, with Altior lame on Sunday and unable to recover in time. It now looks between the pair, with ready preference for Chacun Pour Soi (11/8).

When they clashed under a year ago at Punchestown, there was no getting away from Chacun Pour Soi’s superiority and it might be that he will make the running now under Paul Townend.

He will be devlishly hard to pass and can provide Willie Mullins with a first winner in the race, which is quite remarkable. Arguably he jumps better than Defi Du Seuil.

Odds above correct at the time of writing. Don’t forget to take advantage of William Hill’s each way offer in the Handicap Hurdle (2.50) and the Juveniles Hurdle (4.50), where they are paying 5 places instead of 3. For all the latest prices, visit williamhill.com. 18+, always gamble responsibly. For more information, see BeGambleAware.org