‘Well worth keeping an eye on’ - Who are the under-the-radar owners to follow at the Cheltenham Festival?

The likes of Gigginstown House Stud, Rich Ricci and JP McManus are always likely to be there or thereabouts when it comes to landing winners at the Cheltenham Festival, but some smaller owners are well worth keeping an eye on. Here are some owners who are perhaps a little more under the radar who could land a winner or two next month.

Diana Whateley

Olly Murphy is one of Britain’s most promising trainers and his stock seems to increase with each passing season. Yet to land a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, there are a couple of Diana Whateley-owned horses who could be set to rectify that.

Murphy is particularly bullish about the chances of leading Coral Cup candidate Indeevar Bleu. The 138-rated gelding has had just six starts over hurdles so far and he was second to runaway William Hill Hurdle winner Tutti Quanti at Newbury on seasonal debut.

Clearly that form is rock-solid and the step up to 2m4f suited next time out and he won a competitive race at Aintree in good style on Boxing Day. A mark of 138 shouldn’t be beyond him and he’s definitely one to consider.

Booster Bob has a pretty good record over fences so far and he’s got a few potential targets next month. The Kim Muir is the most likely according to the betting and Act Of Authority would have a solid chance if lining up in the Martin Pipe.

Gordon & Su Hall

Gordon and Su Hall made the decision to move their horses away from Paul Nicholls and put them in training with Nicky Henderson and the Lambourn-based trainer now has a couple of very serious novice hurdle contenders. Old Park Star has established himself as the ante-post favourite for the Supreme with an utterly dominant display in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time out. There could be more to come, which is a frightening prospect, and he’s unlikely to be far away.

A leading contender for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Day 2, six-year-old Act Of Innocence appreciated the step up in trip when winning a Listed contest at Huntingdon last time out. More will be needed at this level, but further improvement could be on the cards.

Brocade Racing

Brocade Racing have got some intriguing outsiders to watch at Cheltenham this year and they have had a rather successful season so far. It could get even better if they land a winner at the Festival, and potential Supreme runner Sober Glory is one to watch.

The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained six-year-old defied a double penalty to win by a wide margin at Newbury last time out and that was a very impressive performance. It seemed as if Harry Cobden had gone off too fast in front in bad ground, but clearly the horse has a significant engine.

Alexei has emerged as a potential each-way shout in a very open renewal of the Champion Hurdle and we haven’t seen the best of this progressive gelding just yet. Kripticjim won a recognised trial for the Turners here earlier in the season and could make the frame.