McNamara booked to ride Newmill in Champion Chase
The eight-year-old came right back to his best form at Thurles last month when beating Mossy Green by four lengths in the Grade Two Kinloch Brae Chase.
Newmill was ridden then by Robert Power, but he is currently on the sidelines with a foot injury and will miss the Festival.
Speaking yesterday, Murphy said: “We believe Andrew is the right man for the job, he rides very intelligently. The horse is in great form and will be given a racecourse gallop in the middle of next week.’’
There is tremendous interest in Newmill’s Cheltenham Prospects, after he was put up by Pricewise, Tom Segal, in the Racing Post as the value bet for the Champion Chase.
At one stage he was quoted at 100-1 by Paddy Power, but that firm and Cashmans now only offer 16-1. Ladbrokes currently go 20-1.
