FORESTER columnist Chris Broad is racing agent to a string of top jockeys, including Timmy Murphy and Jason Maguire.

Here, Chris marks your card with his fancies for the opening two days of the Cheltenham Festival on March 16 and 17.

See next week's column for Chris's fancies for the remainder of the Festival meeting, including the big one, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"It's impossible to oppose DUNGUIB in the opening race of the meeting, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He's hotly fancied and not much of a price (around 4-5) but I tipped this one to win the Bumper last year and can't see it being beaten.

"At more favourable odds (generally 6-1) I think THE PACKAGE will win Tuesday's William Hill Trophy Handicap. Timmy Murphy is riding this one.

"I also think Timmy will have a great ride in the Champion Hurdle on STARLUCK. This horse is great each-way value at odds between 12 and 16-1. "He'll love the drying ground and won a recent prep race on the flat. He's definitely the value price in the race. On Wednesday, I think the favourite MASTER MINDED will win the Queen Mother Champion chase.

Irish raider RITE OF PASSAGE is my tip at around 3-1 for the Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle.

At a bigger price, I fancy WEIRD AL (around 8-1) in the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase.

"What I like most about this horse is that he's won around Cheltenham, he's won from the front and he's won held up. I'm not deserting Diamond Harry, but I think Weird Al could be the one.

"In the Bumper, I've not heard any strong whispers, but I reckon the prize could go back to Ireland again."