A FANTASTIC feast of racing is in store this weekend with a whole host of Cheltenham Festival contenders having their final prep races for the big event.

Cheltenham takes centre stage on Saturday, with the spotlight switching to Leopardstown on Sunday where the highlight is the AIG European Champion Hurdle.

Unfortunately, two notable absentees from the action will be Jonjo O'Neill's Exotic Dancer, who met with a set back earlier this week, and reigning Champion Hurdler Sublimity who bypasses the big race in Ireland due to the heavy going.

However, there will still be plenty of clues on offer, and my advice to punters is to snap up the antepost value on offer for the Festival before the fancied runners advertise their claims and their price shortens.

I'm particular looking forward to Cheltenham, where current 5-1 Triumph Hurdle favourite Franchoek puts his ever increasing reputation on the line.

I expect Alan King's charge to have too much class for his rivals and maintain his position at the head of the market, but it's worth remembering that last time he ran at Prestbury Park he was a beaten odds on favourite.

Franchoek is owned by legendary Irish owner and gambler JP McManus, whose colours will be carried by the much touted Aigle D'Or in the opener.

Nicky Henderson's inmate made a highly impressive debut over timber at Lingfield and has since attracted significant support for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle at the Festival.

Having started the week on 16s he is now trading at 10s and even that price could look huge if he registers another smooth victory in the hands of Mick Fitzgerald against some top class rivals on Saturday - including the ultra tough and improving Hold 'Em and the much talked about Lodge Lane.

One horse who likely to be everyone's banker on Saturday is Inglis Drever who runs in the Cleeve Hurdle. The horse's main rival Witchita Lineman was pulled out on Thursday because of the going and I fully expect Howard Johnson's star to land the odds before going on to defend his World Hurdle crown.

Over in Ireland, the cream of their hurdlers are on shown in the AIG with young pretenders Sizing Europe taking and Aimatov taking on proven performers.

On the football, I am sure that I don't need to say how disappointing it is for Bolton fans not to see them taking part in the FA Cup this weekend.