De Bromhead pair ready for possible clash with Altior

Henry de Bromhead is readying a strong team for the Open meeting at Cheltenham this weekend that is set to feature Three Stars and Some Plan for the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase, and Special Tiara for the Grade 2 Shloer Chase.

“We'll run Three Stars and Some Plan in the Racing Post Arkle Trial,” said De Bromhead, who also entered Identity Thief and Ordinary World for a race which could feature the chasing debut of this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Altior.

“Three Stars has done nothing wrong over fences and won a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time well. We'll take things race by race but you'd have to be pretty happy with how he's progressed over fences so far and we're looking forward to running him.

“We're also looking at running Some Plan. He won’t be there to make up the numbers. We haven't had him that long but we like him and he won well at Punchestown last month.”

Altior's trainer Nicky Henderson said in his Stan James blog on Tuesday: "If the forecast is correct it's a possibility he may take his chance, but it must be emphasised he'll not run unless the predicted rain materialises.

"He's in great form and worked particularly well this morning, therefore I'm extremely happy with him. We'll give him a schooling session in the morning, after which a more definitive decision with regards to his participation at Cheltenham will be made."

De Bromhead said Identity Thief is likely to contest the Grade 2 Craddockstown Chase at Punchestown this month.

The trainer is also looking forward to Special Tiara getting his season under way in the Shloer Chase, also on Sunday.

“He's in really good form and we know he likes Cheltenham," he said. "I think I'd be willing to leave tactics with Noel [Fehily] at this stage as he knows the horse well. Special Tiara looks to be well treated by the race conditions."