With 24 of the Festival’s races qualifying for the £1.5million competition, jump racing’s biggest meeting will be crucial in the race for the £500,000 first prize.
Can trailblazing Skelton fend off Irish charge?
Harry Skelton goes into the Festival in pole position. He consolidated his lead when Hoe Joly Smoke came out top in a thrilling finish at Sandown on Saturday. Arkle contender L’Eau du Sud and top novice hurdler The New Lion head his strong book of rides this week.
Harry Cobden and Sam Twiston-Davies are chasing hard but fourth-placed Nico de Boinville could be a big mover over the Cheltenham Festival. Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey will be on board Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Lulamba, as well as plenty of other high-profile runners.
Sean Bowen – runaway leader in the race to be Champion Jockey – gave his chances a boost when landing the Imperial Cup on Saturday, as well as picking up points when fourth in the EBF Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final.
Townend out to plunder another big pot
With the Irish dominance of the Festival in recent years, there is also the prospect of a couple of visiting riders throwing their hats into the ring for the David Power Jockeys’ Cup.
Paul Townend is likely to boot home a clutch of winners as stable jockey to all-powerful Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
The current British Champion Trainer would have to have a sensational Festival, even by his remarkable standards, if Paul was to threaten the leaders, but nothing is impossible where the all-conquering pair are concerned.
Jack Kennedy could be another Irish-based rider to climb the table. He only returned from a long-term leg injury last week, but he will have plenty of opportunities this week as Gordon Elliott’s number one jockey.
All to play for as battle reaches stunning crescendo
It all adds even more interest to the Festival as the inaugural David Power Jockeys’ Cup – the world’s most valuable jump jockeys’ competition – reaches its thrilling climax three weeks after the end of Cheltenham on the eve of the Grand National.
With 10 points for a winner, eight for finishing second, six for third and four for fourth, it promises to add an exciting dimension to an already superb four days of top-class racing.
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