Ricci looks forward with Cheltenham hopefuls

While his Cheltenham Festival team has been shorn of three of its biggest hitters, owner Rich Ricci is adamant he still has plenty of bullets to fire.

Douvan will go off the shortest-priced favourite of the week, but Ricci still has several other horses with leading claims.

"Getabird looks like he could go very close in the Champion Bumper," said Ricci in his RTE blog.

"Vroum Vroum Mag has lots of options and will be competitive in whatever race she runs in.

"Limini is a much stronger mare than last year and is in good form but also has not run since Punchestown last year; and Let's Dance would have a very good chance in any of the novice races she is entered in.

"I think our novice hurdle team is one of quantity over quality and while our novice chase division has lost Min, Royal Caviar and hopefully American Tom are no back numbers and deserve to take their chances.

"All in all, no matter what ways you move the chess pieces around, there's enough to keep the fire going."