Confidence behind winning burst of Rage

Weights were published yesterday for the seven handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival with a total of 485 horses being assessed. The largest entry is 101 for the Coral Cup, with David Nicholson's Castle Sweep heading the weights on 12st 3lb.

The sponsors make Malcolm Jefferson's improving six-year-old Tullymurry Toff (10st 13lb) their favourite on 10-1.

Star Rage, who attempts back-to-back wins in the County Hurdle, has been allotted 11st 1lb. Jimmy Harris's charge will renew rivalry with Shining Edge on 2lb better terms than at Doncaster on Saturday when the latter just came out on top. But Harris is confident of reversing the placings: "He's better in a strongly run race and he loves Cheltenham's stiff finish."