Noel Fehily: 'The Irish horses look seriously good - but he won't be disgraced'

Noel Fehily is confident recent Sandown winners Love Envoi and Tahmuras, both owned by his increasingly successful syndicate, can make a big impact when they line up at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Fehily was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday's newspaper in which the decorated rider talks about life after retirement from race-riding in 2019, his burgeoning syndicate business and the whip debate.

Along with former rider and best friend David Crosse, Fehily launched the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate shortly after his retirement from the weighing room and his owners have already enjoyed success on the biggest stage thanks to Cheltenham Festival winner Love Envoi and Grade 1 scorer Tahmuras.

Both horses won on Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle card two weeks ago and they are heading to Cheltenham in March with Fehily hoping for more celebrations on jump racing's biggest stage.

"Tahmuras is a horse we've loved since the day we saw him at the sales," said Fehily of his Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle contender. "The Tolworth is a massive race to win but I think he's going to get better. He stays very well but has a bit of class too.

"You watch these Irish horses winning and they look seriously good, but I'd like to think Tahmuras will hold his own. I'm not saying he's a certainty but he won't be disgraced."

Noel Fehily pictured in relaxed mood at his home in WiltshireCredit: Edward Whitaker

Love Envoi, winner of the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle last season, will bid for a first success at the highest level in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at this year's festival and is unbeaten in two starts this season.

"I think the best mare we've seen so far is Marie's Rock," said Fehily. "She looks very good to me but I think Love Envoi is in the mix with the rest of them. Marie's Rock is a worthy favourite but I thought Sandown was Love Envoi's best performance.

"She settled better, jumped better and seems like she's learning to race properly. I'd like to think she's still improving."

Love Envoi is a general 4-1 second favourite for the Mares' Hurdle, while Tahmuras ranges between 8-1 and 14-1 for the Supreme.

Read more from Noel Fehily in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Members' Club subscribers can read the Big Read online from 6pm on Saturday. Click here to sign up.

Read this next:

'It's absolutely daft' - Kim Bailey slams Cheltenham's early closing entries

Stay ahead of the field with 50 per cent off the ultimate racing subscription. Enjoy the Racing Post digital newspaper and award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing. Plus, make informed betting decisions with our expert tips and form study tools. Head to the subscription page and select 'Get Ultimate Monthly', then enter the code WELCOME2022 to get 50 per cent off your first three months.

First three payments will be charged at £19.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter.

Customers wishing to cancel will need to contact us at least seven days before their subscription is due to renew.