'I’m going to to do a few things differently' - Home By The Lee’s jockey confirms new tactics

One of the more intriguing clashes of the Cheltenham Festival will come on day three of the meeting in March with the Stayers’ Hurdle, where hot favourite Teahupoo bids to retain his crown from Home By The Lee.

Teahupoo, trained by Gordon Elliott, is a hot 11/10 favourite to win the race for a second year in a row, with Home By The Lee - hailing from the Joseph O’Brien yard - second favourite for the race.

“He came back in the Autumn, like a different horse this year, Home by The Lee’s jockey JJ Slevin told the Irish Racing Cheltenham Festival Preview Show.

“For some reason, I don't know why, he's got a lot faster, more tuned in. And he's been flying at home, he's been flying all autumn into the winter. He's flying at the minute.

“Like it's hard to say he's going to beat Teauhpoo. Teahupoo could line up in the Champion Hurdle and run very well.

“Home By The Lee could be lapped in the Champion Hurdle. But he's in a really good frame of mind. I'm going to do a few things differently on him that I think should work, so yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.

“I think we've got a few little tricks. I've got it wrong on him a few times over there. It's a few things, a few decisions I've made weren't the right thing to do.”

In the other Teahpoo camp is Lisa O’Neill, assistant trainer to Gordon Elliott who believes the favourite’s rival needs to up it a level to compete with the hot favourite.

She added: “He [Teahupoo] galloped in Navan. He's in great form, he looks fantastic. He's the one to beat here, obviously - he's the reigning champion. He goes there again to retain his title. I do think Home By The Lee has shown himself very well this season.

“I'd be very worried about him maybe laying down a big challenge but look, I'm a big fan of Teahupoo. I think he races really conservatively but coming up that Hill, he always seems to make a mistake at the second last for some unknown reason at Cheltenham for the last two years in a row but I really think he's the one to beat here.”

Watch the full Cheltenham Preview show here.