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The six-year-old is a point-to-point winner who then joined De Bromhead’s stable and won at the first time of asking over hurdles with a length success at Punchestown in November. She stepped up to Grade Two level at Limerick on Boxing Day, impressing with a four-and-a-quarter-length victory over Mozzies Sister as the 7-4 favourite, paving the way for this further step up in trip and class at the Festival. “She’s a lovely mare who we were very lucky to get at the sales last year and she’s done nothing wrong,” said De Bromhead.
“She was impressive in Limerick, I thought, the way she picked up. She seems to travel really well and stays well. She’s exciting and we’ll see.
” Among others, The Big Westerner faces opposition from Willie Mullins, including the well-fancied Jasmin De Vaux. The six-year-old won the Champion Bumper 12 months ago and made a winning debut over hurdles at Navan in December. He has been beaten twice since, however, with his jumping letting him down in the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle and the Nathaniel Lacy, where he was fourth both times.
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: “We had the option to wait for Aintree, but there are only three hurdles to jump in the last mile (at Cheltenham) which might stand him in better stead than Aintree, where there are three hurdles in the last half mile – his jumping isn’t the greatest. “Stretching out to three miles and using his class between the hurdles will hopefully stand him in better stead, but it is a championship race. He’s been schooling well at home, so hopefully he is getting slicker.
” British hopes are carried by Jamie Snowden’s Wendigo, who was second to The New Lion in the Grade One Challow at Newbury after Christmas and a near eight-length winner of a Wetherby novice when last seen. “He’s flying and in great order at home and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s schooled brilliantly and it’s all systems go,” said Snowden.
“I’m very happy with the step up in trip and hopefully that will bring some improvement out of him.” There is a French contender in David Cottin’s Jet Blue, who carries the familiar silks of Professor Caroline Tisdall and returns to Cheltenham having landed a trial for this race at the track in December. Gordon Elliott is doubly represented, with Wingmen his leading hope after his second-placed run in the Nathaniel Lacy last time out and Ballybow arriving at Cheltenham in good form having won his last two starts.
Lucinda Russell enjoyed Albert Bartlett victory with Brindisi Breeze in 2012 and is this time set to saddle Derryhassen Paddy, who puts his unbeaten record on the line..
