McNamara Set For Big Week

Andrew McNamara is looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival after securing his best ever book of rides for the meeting.

Successful on Newmill in the Queen Mother Champion Chase 12 months ago, McNamara is hoping for further glory this year and nominates De Valira, Newmill again and Beef Or Salmon as his best chances of the week

'I'm really looking forward to the week,' he said.

'I start off with De Valira in the Supreme and he has some good form, but got turned over at Punchestown the last time.

'Michael O'Brien told me he got a bit knocked about that day, though, and he is expecting him to put up a much better showing.

'Amaretto Rose seems to be the one to beat. I saw her hack up on the bridle last time so nobody really knows how good she is. She has a right to be favourite.

'I think the chances of Newmill going in the Champion Hurdle (rather than the Champion Chase) were probably hyped up. I don't think he needs the ground to be as fast as people make out. He certainly acts on it with a bit of cut.

'You'd have to be impressed with Well Chief's comeback and I went to a couple of previews and people kept telling me he was a certainty. We'll find out on Wednesday,' he told At The Races.

'And in the Gold Cup, if Beef Or Salmon can stay in touch when they come down the hill and quicken up, when they turn to come back up he will come up it as well as any of them and I'm very much looking forward to it.

'I would say Newmill would be my best chance of a winner, though.'

(C) PA Sport