It’s always great to be back at Cheltenham and I was pleased to awake to the sound of rain too – let’s hope it’s also raining at our local track too – it’s still raining here mid morning. I’ll have a good walk around and Freddie wants to walk around with me as he rides in the Pony Racing Final tomorrow – he’ll have a walk around with their Jockey Coach tomorrow but he’s keen to do it today too. He obviously needs to not listen to a word his dad says today!
Found On is our first runner for Ollie & Irene Ryan and partnered, as usual by Sean Bowen. She’s won 4 times on the bounce, 3 times since she was so unlucky at Cheltenham’s April Meeting where she was kicked at the start by the eventual winner and not allowed to run. Her task today is much harder but she’s in great form and will hopefully put up another bold show.
Then Spanish Present makes his handicap debut in a red hot handicap hurdle however if the bookies are correct he has a right chance as they’ve put him in as favourite. He did nothing wrong at Worcester last time but this is a huge step up – he’s a horse I like a lot and I do think he has a lenient handicap mark so hopefully David Maughan’s 6 year old can handle the rise in class. He will need to improve a lot but has been pleasing me at home. Sean Bowen also partners him.
If you are at Cheltenham today do call in to the Hall of Fame where we have a stand as part of their Syndicates Weekend. It’s a great initiative and there are plenty of fellow syndicate members helping Paul Davis man the stall so do call and see them, grab some chocolates and see the different options of ownership we have available from inexpensive Racing Club membership to bigger shares. The stand is there today and tomorrow.