To discover their overall 1-2-3 we awarded three points for a first-place prediction, two points for second and one for third.

Based on this system, here's the pundits' composite selection:

1 Moscow Flyer (40pts) 2 Azertyuiop (29) 3 Well Chief (14)

Clare BaldingBBC TV presenter
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
The Tingle Creek form is the most revealing and I think, barring accidents, Moscow Flyer has got enough up his sleeve to hold off the other two. Great race in prospect.

Ian BartlettBBC commentator
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Oneway
Moscow Flyer can put last year's mishap behind him and prove himself one of the best two-milers of all time.

Balthazar FabriciusBookmakers Ladbrokes
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
If Moscow Flyer completes, he wins - until we're proven otherwise, it'd be a brave man to oppose him.

Honest FrankBBC Sport website
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Central House 3 Azertyuiop
Moscow Flyer never loses with a clear round. Central House could surprise. Well Chief is hugely respected, but has been busy this season.

Edward GillespieCheltenham Racecourse MD
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Kadarann
There has seldom been a more fluent jumper than Moscow Flyer and it's time his luck held out round here.

Luke HarveyEx-jockey, Five Live racing reporter
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Well Chief 3 Oneway
Moscow Flyer is a true champion who will win if he has a clear round of jumping. Despite what the jockey and trainer say, his jumping is still a worry.

Jonathan HerbertRacing correspondent,
Gloucestershire Echo, Cheltenham
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
Moscow Flyer is quite simply the best steeplechaser in training.

Lydia HislopBBC TV pundit
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
The race of the Festival. There must be no mistakes this time from Moscow Flyer, otherwise Azertyuiop will pounce. Well Chief is less of a fresh horse than the previous two years.

Mark HowardAuthor, One Jump Ahead
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
Moscow Flyer is unbeaten in all completed starts over fences. Won this in 2003, also an Arkle Trophy winner. Remains the one to beat following blistering display in the Tingle Creek.

Paul JonesAuthor, Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide
1 Azertyuiop2 Moscow Flyer 3 Well Chief
Azertyuiop will be better suited to Cheltenham in March than Sandown in December and can reverse places with Moscow Flyer.

Geoff LesterPresident, Horserace Writers
and Photographers Association
1 Azertyuiop 2 Moscow Flyer 3 Well Chief
One for the purists but Azertyuiop might steal a march on Moscow.

Cornelius LysaghtFive Live racing correspondent
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Oneway
Moscow Flyer seems to have ironed out his flaws and continues to impress, but it will be nervy stuff. Oneway is a rising star.

Keith McHughOldham Evening Chronicle
One of Racing Post naps table leaders
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 Well Chief
Moscow Flyer, a faller last year, has two worthy rivals but should be too strong granted a clear round.

Rishi PersadBBC TV pundit
1 Well Chief 2 Azertyuiop 3 Oneway
Bar his last defeat by Azertyuiop, Well Chief has improved with each race this season. That Newbury loss came seven days after a career-best performance in the Victor Chandler at Cheltenham, and can be excused.

Jennie PrestBookmakers William Hill
1 Moscow Flyer 2 Azertyuiop 3 One Way
Barring accidents, can't see Azerty turning the tables on Moscow Flyer this year. At 16-1, Oneway is some value to run into third.