Gift back on familiar territory
Iris’s Gift returns to the scene of his biggest success over hurdles when he continues his chasing career at Cheltenham tomorrow.
The popular grey’s last visit to Prestbury Park ended in a memorable victory over Baracouda in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2004 Festival.
Now aiming to make a similar impact over fences, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding bids to complete a hat-trick in the Ian Williams Owners’ Novices’ Chase.
He tackles an extended three miles after wins over shorter distances at Market Rasen and Bangor this autumn.
However, owner Robert Lester revealed the Cheltenham race had not been the original choice for Iris’s Gift’s third outing of the campaign.
The Sparky Gayle Novices’ Chase at Carlisle over a similar trip at the weekend was pencilled in but with the Cumbrian track currently waterlogged in places, connections have decided to reroute him.
“It was a bit of surprise really but the rain has come so Jonjo’s decided to go to Cheltenham,” said Lester.
“You don’t want to be risking a horse like him on good to firm ground and it’s a long season.
“Carlisle on Sunday was the original plan but the weather’s not looking good up there.
“We are going to run him tomorrow for more experience and it looks being a good race.
“We’re taking it one step at a time. We’ll see how he goes tomorrow and what route to take.
“If it was a hurdle race he’d be considered a certainty.
“It’s quite nerve-wracking and I feel as though I’m jumping every fence with him. My main hope tomorrow is that every horse comes back safe and sound. The result is immaterial compared to that.”
Iris’s Gift will face six rivals including the Paul Nicholls-trained Sweet Diversion, who is 8lb better off with the grey for being beaten four lengths at Market Rasen.
The experienced Zeta’s River, who ended the last campaign finishing seventh in the Betfred Gold Cup, makes his seasonal debut for Martin Pipe.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, who sent out Ollie Magern to win the corresponding race last year, saddles facile Uttoxeter winner You Owe Me.
Unleash, a winner at Worcester in August, represents Philip Hobbs while Nick Junior and Murphy’s Magic complete the line-up.
