Liberthine on course for Cheltenham

Crack amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen is unfazed by the prospect of testing conditions for Liberthine at the Cheltenham Festival.

Waley-Cohen will partner Nicky Henderson’s mare in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, for which she is 10-1 market leader with bet365.

Liberthine is owned by the jockey’s father, Robert Waley-Cohen, and already has Festival-winning form having landed the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase two years ago.

Waley-Cohen jnr is now hoping a recent spin over timber at Newbury – when eighth behind Henderson’s Copsale Lad – has set the scene for a big run next Wednesday.

“All things being well, she will definitely line up in the Kim Muir,” said Waley-Cohen.

“It was a bit uninspired at Newbury because she was probably never going to run that well over hurdles.

“She did a nice enough job though and hopefully that will put her right for next week.

“She’s run on the heavier stuff before and I suppose inevitably, the ground asks more questions of her jumping.

“At Cheltenham, they will always go to the top of the speed range and that’s going to test everyone’s stamina – and she’s got lots of that.

“She’s favourite and she’s going to carry lots of weight but I’d rather go into a race like that favourite rather than an outsider.”

Liberthine is also quietly fancied for the John Smith’s Grand National and currently trades at around the 20-1 mark.

Cheeky Lady appears set to oppose Liberthine at the Festival after pleasing connections in some exercise on Monday.

The daughter of Roselier belied he starting price of 50-1 when finishing third in the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, but disappointed in the Thyestes Chase next time.

Handler Colm Murphy feels Cheeky Lady might have rushed back into action too soon on that occasion, however, and hopes she can acquit herself well again now she seems to be over those exertions.

“She worked really well yesterday and seems to be back to herself like we had her going to Leopardstown over Christmas,” he said.

“I think we probably ran her a bit quickly in the Thyestes and paid the price for it.

“But we couldn’t be happier now and I think if she reproduces her Paddy Power Chase form we’d have a great chance,” he told At The Races.