McConville hoping Cliste makes cut

Portadown trainer Stephen McConville is crossing his fingers that Anseanachai Cliste makes the cut for the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham next week.

The prolific point-to-pointer bids to follow in the footsteps of recent Ulster-based winners of the prize, Tammys Hill and Zemsky.

The nine-year-old had a terrific season between the flags last year, winning seven on the bounce, and returned in triumphant form at Armagh recently.

McConville feels the stamina test over an extended three-miles-one-furlong at Prestbury Park will suit his charge down to the ground, and is confident he is capable of mixing it with the best.

"The intention is to go over and I fancy him to run well in it. I think he would be well suited by the race," said McConville.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure will he definitely get in. There are 39 entered in it and I'm just trying to get a hold of the handicapper in England to see what his thoughts are.

"The top-rated horses get preference and hopefully I'll know by the weekend so we can make plans.

"He was fifth in the big one at Leopardstown and that's probably where he will get his rating from.

"He wouldn't have been 100 per cent then. When he started winning he transformed and is a different horse this year.

"He's been unbelievable since he clicked last year and has never looked behind him.

"He doesn't like horses heading him and always pulls out a bit more. He doesn't win his races by much and just does enough.

"He had a wee setback earlier in the year, when he had a bit of a fall coming off the gallop, so we lost a bit of time.

"I think he's definitely one of the top horses in Ireland at the minute. I know On The Fringe would be the best, but he must be on a par with the rest of them, if not better.

"Horses from Northern Ireland have a very good record in it and if this boy gets over he'll definitely give it some rattle.

"If they were going four miles it would even be better, as he just stays and stays."