Well 12 months of waiting is over and at 2.00pm on Tuesday afternoon as the tapes rise the roar will go up from the Prestbury Park crowds to announce the start of the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. The centre piece on Tuesday will be the £360,000.00 Champion Hurdle run over 2 miles. Looking through the runners and riders the race looks an open one to me although there is a warm favourite in Sizing Europe. Three years ago Harchibald looked as though he should have won the Champion Hurdle when being beaten by Hardy Eustace. He was in fine form in a recent Flat race at Dundalk and I hope this year Paul Carberry can deliver him at the last moment to win the race. I know he is a “monkey” of a horse but I am prepared to take a chance with him. Punjabi ran a tremendous race under top weight in the Totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury when not fully fit and could be the each way value.
In the William Hill Trophy at 4.00pm last years fourth Mon Mome goes again and could be a big price winner for Venetia Williams.
Ashkazar will be a warm order for the last race run at 5.20pm. I did not see his win in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday but records show the Pipe stable are top class in following up with another win at the Cheltenham Festival with the same horse to claim a £75,000.00 bonus.