Majority support behind Pentland Hills as owners look to continue dream ride

Pentland Hills will enjoy a significant majority when it comes to support at Cheltenham on Saturday as the four-year-old steps out on the road to what his owners hope will lead to the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Owned by members of the 3,000-strong Owners Group syndicate, Pentland Hills sparked jubilant scenes in the winner's enclosure and around the racecourses when winning Grade 1 contests at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals this year.

As he makes his return in the Unibet International Hurdle, Pentland Hills will be cheered on by his massed ranks of owners, who harbour hopes the £57 they paid for a share in the horse will give them the chance to own a genuine Champion Hurdle contender.

Unibet International Hurdle racecard and betting

Dan Downie, Owners Group syndicate manager, said: "It's been the plan for quite a few weeks, so the excitement has been building up towards it and we're looking forward to it.

"It would be amazing to win and keep the dream going but I, for one, am keeping my feet on the ground. We know how tough it is for horses coming out of their juvenile season and he'll have to improve, but we hope he can make the leap."

Pentland Hills (near side) powers home in the Triumph HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Despite having such a large group of people under one umbrella, Downie says no effort is spared in giving members a real ownership feel.

"We pride ourselves in giving everyone a proper ownership experience," Downie said. "We'll have 20 that will be there as owners, just as we did at the festival, but as far as the numbers actually going racing I would have no idea. I suspect there'll be plenty coming."

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