It’s the grandest time in the British racing calendar and ahead of the Cheltenham Festival Argus racing correspondent Melissa Jones gets the verdict on the major Welsh hopefuls

WITH the Cheltenham Festival nearly upon us, the Argus has been grilling Welsh trainers on their big hopes for the four day bonanza.

Rebecca Curtis was the envy of her counterparts last year as she saddled Teaforthree to victory in the National Hunt Chase, while Evan Williams is seeking his first Festival winner since High Chimes in 2008.

The pinnacle of National Hunt racing, the meeting is where every owner, trainer and jockey wants to taste victory.

The likes of Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, Quevega and My Tent Or Yours are short-priced favourites, but many hotpots have been sunk over the years.

Rebecca Curtis

Best chance: At Fishers Cross (Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle)

Two wins at the track this year, including an impressive performance for this column last time, the six-year-old is a general 9-2 shot to maintain his progression.

“He will run regardless of the ground. He might be alright on good but a lot of his form has been on heavy. He would have enough gears to go on faster ground, but it’s just his jumping which is a slight concern. But he was very impressive at Cheltenham last time.”

Dream horse: Sprinter Sacre (Queen Mother Champion Chase)

“I have been really impressed, you can’t fault him. We like big types of horses, he should win easily.”

Tim Vaughan

Best chance: Swynmor (JCB Triumph Hurdle)

Priced up as a leading contender for this race after falling at the final flight in Chepstow’s Future Champions Hurdle with the race at his mercy, he was pushed out in the betting after a lacklustre run at Doncaster last time.

“He came out of that race OK. We did some tests and they showed nothing was wrong, Richard (Johnson, jockey) said he needed the run as a confidence booster.

“Ideally he would need more cut in the ground, we dont’ know, he could act on faster. He should improve for his last run. I don’t think a big field will trouble him it’s whether he can bounce back. Everyone has lost faith in him, he’s an underdog now.”

Dream horse: Sprinter Sacre (Queen Mother Champion Chase)

“I think every man in the world would want him in his stable. He’s a freak of nature, the best horse in training. Silviniaco Conti (Gold Cup) also has solid form, he’s young and progressive.”

John Flint

Best chance: Kayf Moss (Champion bumper)

Finished second in two bumpers at Ffos Las and likely start an outsider if getting a run in his desired race.

“We shouldn’t have run him the second time, it was a bit silly, it came too soon for him. He ran a little bit flat and probably lost six to eight lengths, but we thought we could have nicked a win.

“He will go to Cheltenham if he gets in and if he does, realistically we would be happy if he finished mid-division. We haven’t had time to go and win a race and if we miss Cheltenham he’ll go straight over hurdles. We do like him, we think he could end up being a 130-rated horse.”

Dream horse: Fair Along (Pertemps Final)

“He will be a big price and probably a nice each-way bet. We would like to see him do well as he was originally with us. Don’t underestimate him.

“Otherwise either Sprinter Sacre or Quevega. The mare is unbelievable- they should check her genes! I would like to see her in the World Hurdle and it would be interesting to see who would go off favourite.”

Evan Williams

Best chance: Milo Man (Champion bumper) Court Minstrel (County Hurdle)

Milo Man won impressively on his only outing, by 25 lengths at Taunton.

“They both go there with chances, probably as good as what we’ve had run since we last had a winner with High Chimes. Paul Moloney will ride both, he’s in good form.

“We thought Milo Man would win first time, he’s a very, very good horse. We’ve never had a runner in the Champion bumper before, it’s not a race I like much as it can leave its mark on a good horse but we will take our chance.

“He’s big and strong, but doesn’t want heavy ground. By the Friday it should be pretty decent.

“You’d hope a big track will suit him, but I do fear it might come a year too soon. He has thrived since his debut.”

Court Minstrel has posted some decent form in novice hurdles over the course and is due to be at the bottom of the weights for his first start in a handicap.

“He has great form around the track and should get in near the 10st mark. A strongly run race is what he wants,” said Williams.

Dream horse: Sprinter Sacre (Queen Mother Champion Chase) Simonsig (Arkle Chase)

“I would love to train them both, they are big, imposing types and beautifully prepared. Coral going Evens about Sprinter is great for the sport. It gets the Festival juices flowing.”

Peter Bowen

Best chance: Gullible Gordon (Cross Country Chase)

The 10-year old finished 4th over these fences in November 2011 when trained by Paul Nicholls.

“He needs six to come out to get a run. I find whenever they are confirmed entries most plan on going. I prefer to keep mine for Aintree anyway, it’s always been lucky for us.

“Always Waining (three time Topham Chase winner over the National fences) runs at Chepstow today as part of his preparation. He’s been a tremendous servant, he came from a claiming race out of Mark Johnston’s yard. If it’s good ground he’ll definitely go for the National.

“Gullible Gordon is in great form and had a racecourse gallop at Ffos Las, he deserves to take his chance. The hyped up ones don’t normally win.”

Dream horse: Sprinter Sacre (Queen Mother Champion Chase)

“A lot of the races are open but he looks outstanding, whatever he does.”

  • Melissa will be bringing news live from the track during Thursday and Friday of the Festival via Twitter. Follow @ArgusMJones