Which trainer is taking the best horse he's ever brought to Cheltenham?

Friday: 4.10 CheltenhamSt. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase | 3m2½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

This is a race that the Irish have done well in traditionally but British-based runners are responsible for four of the past five winners.

Last year's scorer will not defend his crown but the horse who chased him home, Billaway, who also filled the runner-up spot in 2020 behind It Came To Pass, has a golden opportunity of claiming his first win in this race.

It has long been the mission of Willie and Patrick Mullins. Speaking at a media morning at Closutton last month, Ireland's champion trainer spoke of his wish to deliver the trophy to this race for his owner John Turner, but revealed he didn't fancy drinking out of it, given it's one of the biggest (literally) cups in racing.

Billaway does not need to find a huge amount of improvement to go one better than he did the past two years but, if he is to find that little bit extra, perhaps the cheekpieces will squeeze it out of him.

Billaway (far side) lost out narrowly in the race last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

He was behind David Christie's Winged Leader at Thurles back in January but, fitted with the headgear at Naas, reminded people that he is one of the best around in this discipline when winning as he liked.

Christie's Winged Leader could be the biggest threat. He is a coming force in Hunter Chases, has already beaten Billaway this season and comes into the race on an unbeaten run of five.

It has been a largely forgettable Cheltenham for Paul Nicholls but he has won this race four times in the past and it may well have been five had Bob And Co not exited this race when travelling well last season.

He will be partnered by his enthusiastic owner David Maxwell once again and has to have a big chance if that rider can retain the partnership.

If there is one horse who could surprise, Declan Queally's Lord Schnitzel could be the one. He has solid form in Ireland this term and, fitted with the first-time visor, could run a big race at an each-way price.

David Christie: 'This is what I live for'

Renowned point-to-point handler David Christie has revealed that Winged Leader is the best horse he has ever travelled to Cheltenham and that, if his rapidly improving hunter chaser can seal glory in this coveted prize, he may not return home to Northern Ireland for a few days.

Winged Leader is unbeaten in his last five races, among which was a an 12-length thumping of Billaway at Thurles back in January, and the Fermanagh operator is hopeful of a big show on the greatest of stages.

He explained: "This is what I live for. This is the biggest prize in my eyes and it would mean everything to win it. It would mean everything to Barry O'Neill as well. He's done everything in point-to-point racing and this is the only thing missing from his CV. He's the best horse I have ever brought to Cheltenham."

Winged Leader: the best horse David Christie has ever taken to the festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Christie added: "You usually get floored when you come over here but he's improved this season and I don't think he will be far away from Billaway. We're just hoping for a nice, safe run. With a bit of luck, hopefully he can run well.

"If he manages to win, we might not come home, at least for a few days anyway. You never come here with big expectations, no matter how good of a horse you have, and we're just hoping for a good run."

What they say

David Maxwell, rider of Bob And Co
Haydock will have blown the cobwebs away. Paul's horses have come absolutely bang into form, so he's got a good chance. Having walked it, the chase course is nowhere near as soft as you might expect but I don't think it makes any difference to him anyway.

Gina Andrews, rider of Dubai Quest
The slower the ground the better his chance as he's won on soft. He won nicely at Wetherby last time where the ground was probably a bit too quick for him but he still managed to win. He's progressive and unexposed and I'm looking forward to the ride.

Eugene O'Sullivan, trainer of It Came To Pass
I'd love to think he can put up a bold show. He knows where he is and he seems to come alive over here. The ground is nice and he's coming here in arguably better form than when he won this two years ago, but my only worry is that two years have gone by and he's now a 12-year-old. I'm confident he'll put up a big performance. Whether he'll win or not, only time will tell.

Declan Queally, trainer of Lord Schnitzel
He has a solid chance. He'd one blip at Tallow and wasn't right afterwards but he's back in right order again. If he reproduces his Limerick run I'd expect him to have a right each-way chance. It's an open race and I couldn't be happier with how well he's travelled over. He's in serious form.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Mighty Stowaway
He's a real favourite around the yard but he'd look to have it all to do.

James Owen, trainer of Pont Aven
He made a few mistakes when he won at Ludlow last time but we've done a bit of jumping with him since and I actually think he will be better when he's going at a quicker pace. On ratings he's bang there but the rain on Wednesday wouldn't have been ideal. I'd say he'll go through it but whether he will quite get the trip on it is my only concern. It's nice to have one who looks like he'll be competitive.

Friday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: who will come out on top between star juveniles Pied Piper and Vauban?

2.10 Cheltenham: 'He's got a big chance' - who fancies their chances in a red-hot County Hurdle?

2.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got the class and the form' - leading Albert Bartlett quotes and insight

3.30 Cheltenham: leading trainers on their chances of winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup

4.50 Cheltenham: Willie Mullins once again has good reason to be hopeful about the mares' chase

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He'll run a huge race' - is there a dark horse lurking in the Martin Pipe?

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