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One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch at Cheltenham on Sunday

Defi Du Seuil: back in action at Cheltenham on Sunday
Defi Du Seuil: back in action at Cheltenham on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

One trainer

It is no surprise to see Sunday's card at Cheltenham is packed with runners from local legend Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Grade 1 winner Riders Onthe Storm is the most noteworthy of his five representatives on the card, running in the Shloer Chase (2.25). Last season's Ascot Chase hero was travelling strongly in the Ryanair before falling three from home and is an interesting prospect now dropped back to two miles.

Riders Onthe Storm: the winner of an eventful Ascot Chase on Saturday
Riders Onthe Storm: drops to two milesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The popular Ballyandy tops the weights in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.00) and the nine-year-old comes here after a good second to Sceau Royal in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

Twiston-Davies also runs outsiders Crievehill (1.50), Lessankan (3.35) and Let It Loose (4.05).

One jockey

Robbie Power may have relocated to England but his connections with Ireland's leading trainers remain strong with an excellent book of rides on Sunday.

In the Greatwood Hurdle (3.00), he partners the Emmet Mullins-trained The Shunter. The seven-year-old sneaks in at the bottom of weights and heads back over hurdles after two good runs over fences.

Power has a leading chance in the 3m3½f handicap chase with Discorama for trainer Paul Nolan, who has form figures of 322 at the Cheltenham Festival. He also teams up with Jessica Harrington to ride Jungle Junction (3.35) and with Gordon Elliott's bumper performer Weseekhimhere (4.05).

The Big Breakaway: leading prospect for Colin Tizzard this season
The Big Breakaway: leading prospect for Colin Tizzard this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Perhaps his most interesting ride comes in the opening contest, where he renews the partnership with the Colin Tizzard-trained The Big Breakaway. Described as "potentially as good as any chaser we've had" in Tizzard's Racing Post stable tour, he makes his greatly anticipated chasing bow in the 3m½f novice chase (1.15).

One horse

Defi Du Seuil started a brilliant campaign in the Shloer Chase 12 months ago and he heads back to Cheltenham hoping for a repeat effort.

The seven-year-old went on to capture the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase after his win, but he comes here with a point to prove after an underwhelming fourth in the Champion Chase.

Defi Du Seuil: working well ahead of his return
Defi Du Seuil: working well ahead of his returnCredit: Edward Whitaker

He faces a quality field in the Grade 2 heat, including the last two winners of the Arkle in Duc Des Genievres (2019) and Put The Kettle On (2020), as well as classy performers Riders Onthe Storm,
Rouge Vif and Forest Bihan.

One race

The Greatwood is usually a highly competitive contest and Sunday's race is no different with all 18 runners hard to discount.

Thyme White and Proschema look likely favourites after promising efforts earlier this season while Alan King, who is seeking a third win in the race in the last four years, runs Edwardstone.


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James StevensWest Country correspondent

Published on 14 November 2020inPreviews

Last updated 13:32, 14 November 2020

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