GET REAL, despite being set to carry 5lb more than his true handicap mark, is the favourite for the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday. The Nick Henderson- trained eight-year-old bolted in by 11 lengths from Celibate in the Frogmore Handicap Chase over Saturday's course and distance in December and reopposes on just 1lb worse terms this weekend.

Archive Footage has entered the Champion Hurdle betting following his nine-length victory under 11st 8lb in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday. However, this year's Ladbroke, following a hefty rise in the weights at the five-day stage, lacked the class of recent renewals and Dermot Weld, Archive Footage's trainer, regards the County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a more viable target for his seven-year-old.

Relkeel, out for the season, has exited the Champion Hurdle betting for which Istabraq remains the hot favourite.

Norski Lad, who would not run at Cheltenham if the ground were fast, consolidated, rather than strengthened, his claims for the Triumph Hurdle when giving Blue Royal - who might have more scope - 4lb and a short-head beating at Sandown on Saturday. However, the real Triumph springer following events at the Esher course is Behrajan, who gave his older rival Hidebound a 16-length beating in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle. He is now second favourite.

TOTE GOLD TROPHY HANDICAP HURDLE: William Hill: 6-1 Tiutchev, Wahiba Sands, 10-1 Bellator, 12-1 Blowing Wind, Nomadic, 14-1 Bold Gait, Sharpical, 16-1 others. Tote: 6-1 Tiutchev, 7-1 Wahiba Sands, 12-1 Bellator, Nomadic, 14-1 Blowing Wind, Bold Gait, Sharpical, 16-1 others.

(Newbury, Saturday 13 February)

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE: William Hill: 7-2 Direct Route, 4-1 (with a run) Cyfor Malta, 6-1 Ask Tom, Edredon Bleu, 9-1 Hill Society, 10-1 Lake Kariba, Mandy's Mantino, 14-1 Or Royal, 16-1 others. Tote: 4-1 Cyfor Malta, 5-1 Direct Route, 7-1 Ask Tom, Edredon Bleu, 10-1 Hill Society, 12-1 Lake Kariba, Mandys Mantino, 16-1 others.

(Cheltenham, Wednesday 17 March)