‘He’s been riding like a man possessed’ - Interesting Irish stories ahead at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is just a week away now and the racing community’s collective excitement levels are approaching fever pitch. Ireland has absolutely dominated Britain at the Festival in recent years and that’s not expected to change anytime soon.

The home team might need Willie Mullins to drop off or retire in order to have a chance, although he’s not the only trainer to keep an eye on. Here are some of the more interesting stories to consider ahead of Cheltenham, and they could have a significant impact.

Jack Kennedy to arrive injury-free

Jack Kennedy is one of the best jockeys around, on either side of the Irish Sea, and his luck on the injury front in recent seasons has been nothing short of rotten. He’s set to arrive at this season’s Festival fully fit and firing, after staying injury-free for a sustained period.

This could make a massive difference and he’s been riding like a man possessed, landing winners on a daily basis in Ireland. It’s also worth noting that his boss Gordon Elliott could be set for a much better Festival this time around and Kennedy will be the main beneficiary.

Brighterdaysahead is probably the best horse in the Champion Hurdle and if she can produce her best form at Prestbury Park, the classy mare could prove hard to beat.

Promising novice Ballyfad will have a chance wherever he runs and those are just two names on a sizable list of serious contenders who will be ridden by Kennedy.

Paul Townend has Barry Geraghty in his sights

Paul Townend is quickly climbing up the list of Cheltenham Festival-winning jockeys and it’s reasonable to assume that number two on the list, Barry Geraghty, is surpassable this year.

Only Ruby Walsh will be ahead of him then, though it would take a few years to catch up with the man who Townend understudied for. Final Demand is still favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on Day two, despite blotting his copybook at Leopardstown last time out, and a return to his best form would surely give him every chance.

Storm Heart could be of interest in the BetMGM Cup, whilst Love Sign d’Aunou appears to be a worthy favourite in the Champion Bumper. Bambino Fever could get him off to a flyer on Thursday and the excellent Lossiemouth will be very hard to beat in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Irish trainer with two horses has a live Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase candidate

Connor King is relatively new to the training ranks and is definitely one of Ireland’s smaller operators, as he only has two horses in training. Both of them are fairly useful but Oscars Brother could be more than that and he’s set to run in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Oscars Brother won a couple of times over hurdles, including a Listed novice hurdle, but the eight-year-old has taken his form to a completely different level since switching to fences. He stayed on well to win the Florida Pearl in November and JP McManus quickly swooped in.

Making his first start in the green and gold silks at Navan last time out, he was far too good for his rivals in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase and scored without breaking a sweat. Stamina won’t be a problem and he appears to have a massive chance.