David v Goliath: Power's Burning Ambition out to serve it up to the big names

4.10 Cheltenham
St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase | 3m2½f | 5yo+ | ITV

If preview evenings are your thing you're probably sick to death of hearing about Burning Ambition. If they're not, you're probably wondering who he is.

Well, he's a seven-year-old Irish pointer trained by Robbie Power's cousin Pierce, is favourite for the Foxhunter – and a good thing if those who sit on preview panels are to be believed.

This time last year he had won a maiden point-to-point, at the second time of asking, by ten lengths. Since then he has landed a winners of one, a winners of two, and an open at Moira – by a combined 23 lengths. Then he went hunter chasing at Limerick and put 13 lengths into his rivals, still without coming off the bridle.

He comes here off the back of a defeat, but that was at the hands of Gilgamboa – who is not qualified for this – and he went down by two and three-quarter lengths [in receipt of 7lb] to a former Grade 1 winner and Power believes the experience has done him the world of good.

He said: "It's a dream to come over with a horse to run, never mind the favourite. It's huge for us. He's settled in well and I expect a big run.

"The ground shouldn't be an issue, all his form is on it; the only concern is he lacks the experience of the others – they're seasoned horses. We'll see what he's made of.

"He was winning all his points easily on the bridle so we made a point of taking him to Punchestown to take on some big horses like Gilgamboa and see where we were. He's come on a lot for that but we're taking on a lot of good horses here and we're the young pretender.

"When he started winning this was the dream and we weren't sure if we were mad, so to get him here is already amazing. We'll enjoy every minute as it may not happen too often."

Power, who has booked crack amateur Jamie Codd, added: "I'll leave everything to him. I'm sure he'll drop him in and take his time, but you don't get a top rider like him then tell him what to do."

With Wonderful Charm, Virak, Unioniste and last year's winner Pacha Du Polder, Paul Nicholls mounts a strong challenge, while the 2015 and 2016 winner On The Fringe has another crack. Foxrock and Balnaslow have plenty of decent form at this level too, while on the BHA's official figures they all have Volnay De Thaix to catch.

What they say . . .

Derek O'Connor, rider of Balnaslow
He hasn't quite sparked this term but I rode him out this morning on the course and his eyes lit up, so we're hopeful of a good run.

Rose Loxton, trainer of Caid Du Berlais
The ground's not ideal but we ride him round the fields at home and they're pretty muddy, so it won't be a shock.

Alan Fleming, trainer of Foxrock
He's travelled over great and we're 100 per cent happy with him –he's been eating and drinking all week. The ground will suit.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Grand Vision
It will be interesting to see how the handicap chases form matches up to the hunter form. But he’s got a mark of 141, so must have a major chance.

Enda Bolger, trainer of On The Fringe
He just wasn't right last season. He's in nice form now but I'm very concerned about the ground.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Pacha Du Polder, Unioniste, Virak and Wonderful Charm
Pacha Du Polder needed his run last time and he's improved considerably for it. He's ridden by one of the girls in the yard, Harriet Tucker, so it's a big day for her. Unioniste is ridden by David Maxwell, who owns him, and he'll love the ground. Virak has had his problems but we've a good rider in Lorcan Williams. Wonderful Charm is probably my best chance, if he can cope with the ground – he wouldn't want it too soft. He ran a great race last year.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Sir Jack Yeats
He's in good order. He's won on soft and heavy, and James [King] gets on well with him –- he's won on him the last twice. We've got him there primed.

Stuart Morris, trainer of Volnay De Thaix
We'd definitely have preferred better ground, but he's got bits and pieces of form on it so we'll take our chance. He's in real good nick and has been to a festival or two, so the occasion shouldn't faze him.

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