- Friday is the second day of Cheltenham's International Meeting 
- Recommended bets 
- Perseus Way to win 12.05pm 
- Monmiral to win 12.40 
- Third Time Lucki to win 1.15pm 
- Frero Banbou to win 1.50pm 
- Knappers Hill to win 2.25pm 
- Outlaw Peter to win 3pm 
- I Spy A Diva to win 3.35pm

It's day two of Cheltenham's International Meeting, with the December Gold cup the highlight.

There's a note of caution, with the Cotswolds track set for an early morning inspection amidst the continuing freezing conditions, but racing did go ahead as planned on Friday, so there's optimism they'll race at Cheltenham from 12.05pm-3.35pm as planned.

Here's our expert race-by-race preview of the action.

12.05pm - JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (2m1f)

A muddy picture for the opener with inspections due here and at Doncaster, where both Scriptwriter and Nusret hope alternate first-preference entries. 

Milton Harris' charge would be the choice here if he turns up but, in his anticipated absence, ready Leicester scorer PERSEUS WAY can take advantage. 

He could do with jumping more fluently, but is learning on the job and looks to have a decent engine.

Racing Post selection: Perseus Way

12.40pm - bearrene.com Novices' Chase (2m4½f)

The dreaded match is in prospect, Art Approval having run here yesterday and unlikely to turn out again. 

MONMIRAL was not disgraced behind ante-post Arkle favourite Jonbon on their respective chasing bows at Warwick last month and the Paul Nicholls-trained inmate is entitled to improve for that experience. 

He is likely to have too many guns for the mare Kissesforkatie.

Racing Post selection: Monmiral

1.15pm - Lycetts Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase (2m)

Editeur Du Gite won a pair of handicaps here last winter, including this race, and ran well at The Festival in March. October's course return (fourth) was fair, but top-weight today will not be easy. 

Dolos and The Widdow Maker make some appeal but Dan and Harry Skelton have been lording it on Saturday afternoons recently and THIRD TIME LUCKI could make it four winning weekends on the spin for the in-form brothers. 

He is 2-2 in chases here and has undergone wind surgery since his November outings in good races at Exeter and Ascot.

 This is less taxing and his record here is hard to ignore.

Racing Post selection: Third Time Lucki

1.50pm - AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

Il Ridoto brings form from last month's big handicap into this, he was fourth in a contest where Stolen Silver unseated late on when still in contention. 

War Lord was fourth in the Arkle in March and could have something to offer but FRERO BANBOU has been running well at shorter distances and the Venetia Williams inmate has form from his younger days in France that suggests he is worth a try at this distance.

Racing Post selection: Frero Banbou

2.25pm - Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m1f)

Epatante won the 2020 Champion Hurdle and has been placed in both renewals since. 

Her comeback second to stablemate and superstar-in-the-making Constitution Hill in a Newcastle Grade 1 was pleasing and she is well treated here. 

Greatwood Hurdle scorer I Like To Move It is a player but both of KNAPPERS HILL's runs this season look progressive, including his Grade 2 Elite Hurdle win at Wincanton last month and Paul Nicholls' charge could be very tough to peg back if he is allowed dictate matters.

Racing Post selection: Knappers Hill

3.00pm - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 3m)

It could be a really fine afternoon for Nicholls and Harry Cobden as OUTLAW PETER appears tailor-made for this step up in trip following a wide-margin Exeter novice win over 2m5½f five weeks ago. 

His earlier second in the Persian War at Chepstow over shorter was behind an improving sort and stamina could be a strong trait.

Racing Post selection: Outlaw Peter

3.35pm - Molson Coors Mares' Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

Theatre Glory will be a player if avoiding a repeat of the mistake that led to her rider unseating at Newbury a fortnight ago on comeback, while handicap debutante Lady Adare is respected for Harry Fry but lacks a recent run and can be keen at times.

I SPY A DIVA hasn't looked back since an off-season wind operation, winning all three starts for Kim Bailey since she returned in October over a variety of trips. 

She has only gone up 4lb for a game success at Taunton last time and could have more to offer.

Racing Post selection: I Spy A Diva