'You couldn't really fault him' - Pats Fancy primed for National Hunt Chase

A decade on from her first Cheltenham Festival success with Teaforthree in the National Hunt Chase, Rebecca Curtis will lead the British challenge in the same race with the progressive Pats Fancy.

The seven-year-old, who is no bigger than 10-1 and was last seen finishing behind Bravemansgame at Newbury, is the shortest-priced likely runner of the British contingent among the 16 horses who stood their ground at the five-day declaration stage (5.30) on Wednesday.

With Max McNeill confirming the Brown Advisory to be Threeunderthrufive's likely destination and Does He Know well fancied for the Ultima, it will be left for Curtis to fly the flag for the home side, a prospect she is relishing.

"He's had the ideal prep, really," the Pembrokshire-based trainer said. "He's had two wins at Chepstow and I always think horses who run well at Chepstow and suit that track seem to be well suited to Cheltenham.

"I was really pleased with his last run. We didn't go into that race thinking he would necessarily beat Bravemansgame, it was more a prep run because he had missed Exeter which would have been quick enough ground for him that day."

Pats Fancy has clearly always been held in high regard as evidenced by his novice hurdle campaign where, after finishing second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham, he was left in Graded company including at last year's festival in the Albert Bartlett won by Vanillier, who he will seek to reverse form with on Tuesday.

"We just probably pitched him a bit high over hurdles last year, but it was always going to be about chasing really," said Curtis. "He's very similar to Teaforthree in many ways; fairly similar stamp, same sire and stays well."

Curtis, who is also likely to saddle outsider Beatthebullet for Teaforthree's owners in the race, is confident that Pats Fancy's first foray beyond three miles over fences will bring out the best in him.

National Hunt Chase entries and betting

She said: "The race should suit him. I think one of his main attributes is his jumping and he does stay well so going beyond three miles will be good for him. We've also got a good amateur on board which is a massive help in those races."

That amateur will be Barry O'Neill, who is seeking a first Cheltenham Festival winner to go with the career-best season he has enjoyed in Ireland this term.

Unlike her jockey, Curtis knows what it is like to enter the Cheltenham winner's enclosure in March with Teaforthree's victory kickstarting a memorable run of four consecutive festivals with a winner, including JP McManus's star novice At Fishers Cross in the 2013 Albert Bartlett.

Curtis has a healthy profit of 30.37 to a £1 level stake at the meeting having most recently struck in 2020 with 50-1 Stayers' Hurdle winner Lisnagar Oscar.

Assessing Pats Fancy's chances, she said: "He's one of the shortest-priced runners we've had going in. A lot of mine that run at the festival, even the ones that have won, have been quite big odds.

"You couldn't really fault him in any way, it will be sheer ability whether he gets to win it or not.

"Obviously it's a lot harder at the festivals these days against the Irish novices. In the National Hunt Chase you can find 150-plus rated horses whereas Teaforthree won it off 146 as the highest-rated, so obviously the quality has increased over the years."

Adam Wedge and Rebecca Curtis are hoping to repeat Lisnager Oscar's 2020 Stayers' Hurdle successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Curtis also reported Lisnagar Oscar to be in "brilliant form" as he attempts to regain his Stayers' crown on Thursday (3.30).

The nine-year-old has replicated his successful preparation from two years ago by finishing third to Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle at the course in January, and he is a general 33-1 chance to regain his crown.

Curtis said: "He'll definitely run a good race, I know that. There's a few more fancied horses this year, but he's been brilliant for me.

"He's a funny horse, he does nothing before Christmas then after Christmas he seems to hit form and changes at home. He worked really well this morning and loves the track.

"I guess on our rating you'd rule him out, but then you would have done that two years ago."

Stayers' Hurdle entries and betting

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