Six northern heavyweights capable of landing a blow at Cheltenham

Following a steady stream of significant success for northern jumps trainers this season, attentions are now drawn to gaining a first Cheltenham Festival victory since 2014. Here Andrew Dietz assesses some of the north's main hopes of ending the barren spell.

Waiting Patiently
Ruth Jefferson
Ryanair Chase (best-priced 7-1)

This high-class but rarely-seen chaser lost his unbeaten record over fences through no fault of his own after unseating his rider when badly hampered in the King George. The Gold Cup has subsequently been ruled out for last season's Grade 1 Ascot Chase winner and he certainly possesses the class to claim the seemingly easier pickings of the Ryanair. We might see him this weekend at Ascot, assuming the ground is suitable.

Phil Kirby
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (40-1) or OLBG Mares' Hurdle (16-1)

One of the stars of the season after catapulting North Yorkshire trainer Phil Kirby into the limelight with an unbeaten run of four valuable victories. Hurdles and fences come the same to this talented mare and, while she would have better claims of winning the Mares' Hurdle, connections are strongly considering a crack at the mighty Altior in the Champion Chase.

Sue Smith
Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle (25-1)

A highly-regarded hurdler whose steady progress reached new heights with a career-best win in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was well held behind runaway winner Paisley Park when badly hampered at the last next time, on his first try over three miles, in the Cleeve Hurdle. On what he has shown this season he would not be out of place in the Stayers' Hurdle, although connections might decide to wait for Aintree.

Definitly Red
Brian Ellison
Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup (33-1)

The north's only entry in the Gold Cup deserves another shot at the festival highlight after finishing sixth in the race last year. Connections chose against running in the Cotswold Chase - a race he won last season - and he is an interesting outsider, having won both starts in small-field Grade 2s this term. He runs at Kelso on Thursday.

Nicky Richards
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (33-1)

The 12-year-old stalwart of Nicky Richards' Greystoke stable shows no sign of slowing down on the evidence of his shock victory over Footpad in the Paddy's Rewards Club 'Sugar Paddy' Chase over Christmas. That was no fluke as he beat Min in the same race in 2017 and finished second to Sceau Royal in the Shloer Chase in November. He missed the Dublin Racing Festival with a minor setback but has proved he is capable of mixing it with the best two-mile chasers.

Sam Spinner
Jedd O'Keeffe
Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle (50-1)

Sixth in last season's Stayers' Hurdle, when sent off favourite after winning the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle. His form has spiralled downwards since that Ascot victory and he has unseated his rider twice this season. However, some encouragement can be taken from his back-to-form fourth behind the impressive Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle last time.

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