Defi Du Seuil is my Cheltenham nap – he's been so impressive so far

James Best joined the panel on What A Shout this week and gave us some of his fancies in a Cheltenham-focused Q&A. The injured jockey is hoping to recover in time to partner Walk In The Mill in the Grand National, and kicked off by giving us an update on his injury.

How are you recovering from the shoulder injury?
The shoulder is improving well. It’s been five and a half weeks now and this last week it has really come on a lot. I’ve been in Oaksey House every day and I’ve got to see the specialist again on February 24, so I will have a much better idea then as to how much longer it will take, but it would be realistic to be hoping to be back sometime towards the early or middle of March.

What's your nap for the Cheltenham festival?
Defi Du Seuil. I think he’s been so impressive in what he's done.

Who do you fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Al Boum Photo. I couldn’t look too far away from him really. I don’t think Delta Work jumps well enough at that speed and there’s just no let up around Cheltenham.

What about the Champion Hurdle?
I think it's wide open to be honest; you could pick holes in a few of them. Although a lot of people would be disappointed with Pentland Hills so far this season, he could pull it all together on the day and drier ground might help as well.

Will Frodon win the Ryanair for the second year running?
He was certainly back on track at Kempton and, as everyone knows, he’s a little bit better going left-handed, so I think he’ll be hard to beat.

Goshen and Allmankind head the market for the Triumph Hurdle, who's your fancy?
If I had to pick a horse to ride it would be Allmankind. He’s got such a likeable way of going and I’ve been impressed by him so far.

Can Faugheen win at the festival aged 12?
There’s no reason why he can’t win. There’s no better man than Willie Mullins to get him spot on for the day, and he was amazing at Leopardstown last weekend, so I don’t see why not.

Defi Du Seuil: 'I think he’s been so impressive in what he's done'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Will Paisley Park remain unbeaten in the Stayers' Hurdle?
Paisley Park deserves to be the price he is. I think he’ll be hard to beat. He’s been mentioned in the same breath at the likes of Inglis Drever and I can very much see why, he’s a class act.

Is there an up-and-coming jockey you think could break through at Cheltenham?
I think a lad who is doing very well and rides very well is Charlie Price. He’s a good lad based with Tim Vaughan and he's one to look out for.

What's your greatest Cheltenham memory?
The first Cheltenham winner I ever rode, a horse called Return Spring in a Listed race. Catherine Zeta-Jones’s father owned it and it was trained by my boss at the time, Philip Hobbs. It’s what you dream of growing up, riding a winner at Cheltenham, and to actually be lucky enough to do that was a dream come true. I got up on the line with the last stride and beat Paul Nicholls second and third. I embarrassed myself because I got quite emotional in the interview after with Alice Plunkett!

Is the dream still to train a winner at the festival?
It would be unbelievable if at some point I could have a festival winner. It would mean absolutely everything, it’s what every jockey aspires to achieve. You never know, one day it might happen.

Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on What A Shout and more must-have content from the Racing Post