Bolger bids for further glory at Cheltenham
Winner of the corresponding race last year, Garde Champetre will be one of three runners for trainer Enda Bolger and owner JP McManus, whose big-race squad is completed by Freneys Well and Heads Onthe Ground.
Bolger has trained five of the last six winners – with the legendary Spot Thedifference winning four.
Sizing Australia completes the four-strong Irish bid.
Trainer Colin Tizzard is looking forward to seeing his veteran Joe Lively tackle Cheltenham’s cross-country course.
The 11-year-old has won four times over the regulation fences at Prestbury Park but given his advancing years, his trainer feels the time is right for him to try a new discipline.
“Joe Lively schooled round the course on Sunday morning and seems to have taken to it lovely,” said Tizzard.
“He’s a 145-rated chaser and is not getting any younger, but hopefully he can have another couple of years in these cross-country races.
“He seems as good as ever at home and if it doesn’t work out we could go back handicap chasing, but we’re hoping this could be his niche for a while now.
“You wouldn’t think these Enda Bolger runners would be winning three-mile handicaps round Cheltenham, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Charlie Mann saddles Mr Big, who was last seen completing the course in the prestigious Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic, which is an achievement in itself.
“They’re saying the ground is slightly quicker on the cross-country course at Cheltenham and he would be all right on that,” said Mann.
“He goes on pretty much any ground but not when it’s a road like it was on his last start.
“I wouldn’t say he enjoyed that experience at Pardubice – he got round but the ground was way too quick for him.
“You have to go out there a week before so you’re in the lap of the gods as to what’s going to happen as regards the ground. It was far too fast for him on the day, but I think he will be fine with the going at Cheltenham.”
