Big test for Jonjo’s hotshots

JONJO O’NEILL looks certain to saddle the first two in the betting for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle as he bids to become the first since Fred Winter to train as well as ride a winner of the opening day feature of the Cheltenham Festival.

O'Neill is responsible for the brilliant novice Rhinestone Cowboy and the established star Intersky Falcon in the £300,000 showpiece.

He won the Champion Hurdle twice as a jockey on jumping greats Sea Pigeon (1980) and Dawn Run (1984). Winter went one better as a jockey before going on to win it four times as a trainer, the last of which was Celtic Shot in 1988, ridden by Peter Scudamore, whose son, Tom, rides Iberus, one of three runners for Martin Pipe in tomorrow's renewal.