Red-hot John McConnell set to outnumber Mullins, Elliott and co at Cheltenham

There is likely to be another Irish invasion for the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham this weekend, but the trainer responsible for most of the overseas challenge is not who you might think.

Gordon Elliott could run four, Charles Byrnes has two potential representatives, Henry de Bromhead has one and Willie Mullins has none. Beating them all is John McConnell who has made 11 different entries for seven horses.

The Stamullen-based trainer celebrated his 30th winner of 2019 when Yamato won at Wolverhampton on Saturday night, and he is hoping his most successful year can continue this weekend.

Ladbrokes specials for John McConnell

16-1 John McConnell to have a Cheltenham Festival winner this season
20-1 to have a Grade 1 winner this season

Construct is likely to spearhead his challenge in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle on Saturday, a race he won last year with Pearl Of The West, but McConnell is apprehensive about the weather.

There is heavy rain due to hit the Cotswolds on Friday and McConnell is worried about the prospect of soft ground for his runners.

"I have had this weekend at Cheltenham in mind for a lot of my horses as it fits in perfectly with my schedule. There is usually nice ground there and the plan is to run a lot of them this weekend and then let them off for their winter breaks before bringing them back in the spring," McConnell said.

"The problem I have now is the ground. I read an article where the clerk of the course thinks it might get soft and that will not suit any of mine. If I do make the trip, we'll have to leave tomorrow [Thursday] so I'm in a bit of a quandary at the moment."

Pearl Of The West and Sean Bowen jumping the last on the way to victory in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham last year

McConnell is convinced the unbeaten Construct has a bright future over hurdles and is hoping he can take up his engagement on Saturday.

"Construct has really taken to hurdling and seems to really like it. He schooled really well the other day. He is two from two and I think there is still big improvement to come. He was still very green in between the hurdles at Sligo and when he learns to race properly, you would like to think he has the makings of a very nice horse. I hope he can run on Saturday," McConnell said.

He added: "Hannon is entered in that race too, but he didn't handle the soft ground at all in the Triumph Hurdle last season so I doubt he will show up on similar ground. I like that race at Cheltenham as it is at a nice time of the year for us and is for four-year-olds only.

"If we do make the trip, my other likely runners are Go Another One [Matchbook Most Trusted Betting Exchange Novices' Chase], Fred The Foot [Two Farmers Crisps Handicap Hurdle] and Streets Of Doyen [Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race]".

Speaking about his best ever campaign, McConnell said: "Things have been going great and I was thrilled to go my 30th winner of the year the other day. It is just a case of keeping it going now, that's the hard part!"

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