France-based Charly Prichard 'can't wait' for first Cheltenham Festival ride

David Cottin is confident that Mon Prestige can put up a bold show in Wednesday's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, with rising star of the French weighing room Charly Prichard set to get her first taste of festival action aboard the nine-year-old.

Cottin broke a 15-year drought for French trainers at the festival two years ago when Easysland charged up the Cheltenham hill under Jonathan Plouganou.

While Easysland has since moved on to the care of Jonjo O'Neill and will bid to regain his crown from Tiger Roll, Cottin believes Mon Prestige has the right credentials to play a part.

"The horse is in good form." said the trainer. "He ran once over cross-country fences at Lyon when he was carrying a lot of weight. He's been running in claimers recently to give him some confidence and boost his morale, and each time he's run well. He's a super horse with a deep well of stamina who jumps really well."

Cottin added: "I think experience of French steeplechases is a good preparation for Cheltenham and the cross-country course at Lyon rides very big, you have to jump well round there. He was only beaten by the weight at the finish.

"He has suffered from tendonitis in the past but his legs are good now. We'll give it a go and honestly I expect him to run well."

David Cottin: believes Mon Prestige has the attributes to suit the Glenfarclas Cross County ChaseCredit: John Grossick

Prichard grew up less than two hours by road from Cheltenham in Pontypridd and is relishing the chance to perform on British jump racing's biggest stage.

"I can't wait and I didn't hesitate when he asked if I wanted to ride," said Prichard. "He's a fantastic jumper and although he's only run in one cross-country race, the chasers are used to the variety over here. He's a fantastic jumper around a French chase course so I can't see it being a problem.

"Apart from the cheese wedges everything else would be normal steeplechase fences. And he's a horse that’s done a lot of that at home."

Mon Prestige is a best-price 40-1 with William Hill and at the six-day declaration stage was just outside the 16-horse safety limit, so will require two defections to be guaranteed a run.

Having ridden as an amateur based with Guillaume Macaire for two years, Prichard burst into the consciousness of French punters and observers in the early months of 2020 thanks to a fruitful link-up with Cottin at Pau, ending the year fifth in the jockeys' standings and the winner of the Women's Cravache d'Or with 47 winners.

Thirty-five more followed last season, meaning an end to her claim, while Prichard has remained in demand since turning freelance.

"I came over just for a paid summer holiday riding out in the sun," said Prichard. "A lot of people suggested I ride as a professional but Monsieur Macaire thought it would be a good idea to stay as an amateur to learn more about the French style of racing.

"You can only have two years as an amateur if you ride in a yard so turning professional happened naturally. Pau in 2020 was a turning point. It was proof that I hadn't done it for nothing and that it was worth the effort coming here."

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