'I'm really excited about his chances' - key quotes for a hot handicap hurdle

2.50 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Listed) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

With favourite Tea Clipper declared a non-runner this morning, hear what the trainers of the remaining contenders have to say ahead of a competitive handicap hurdle.

What they say

Tom Bellamy, rider of Tobefair
He had a great year last year but is paying for it now as he's high enough in the handicap as a result. He likes it around Cheltenham and will have come on for his comeback run.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of On The Blind Side
He's been chasing, but I'm looking forward to seeing him back over hurdles. It's difficult to find races for him.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Dandy Dan
The early part of the season was all geared towards the Durham National and he probably ran his best ever race to be second off top weight. He wants extreme distances, to go left-handed and good ground, and it's impossible to find races for him so we're starting him off over hurdles.

Phil Middleton, trainer of Golan Fortune
We ran him at Aintree only last week but he came out of that race in such terrific form that we have decided to come here rather than go chasing. I'm really excited about his chances.

Alan King, trainer of Good Man Pat
He ran well for a long way at Cheltenham last time and has come on for the run so should build on that effort.

David Pipe, trainer of Poker Play
Poker Play would want some rain – the softer the better for him. He's a hard horse to get right, but he's in good form at the moment. I give him an each-way squeak.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Mrs Milner
She's a hardy little mare who won a nice race at the Galway festival but her confidence and jumping fell asunder last time at Ballinrobe and she still did remarkably well to finish third. She had no right to finish where she did from the way she jumped, she showed great guts.

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