Barbers cuts a majestic figure

BARBERS Shop bids to put to an end a long line of unsuccessful, yet creditable, efforts by Royal runners at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Since Antiar won the Spa Hurdle for the late Queen Mother in 1965, there have been many near-misses for the British monarchy at jump racing’s Olympics. Carrying The Queen’s colours, the promising Barbers Shop continued that run last spring when he took second place in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Today, the seven-year-old chases the ultimate prize as he goes for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.