Jazzy Matty on course for Grand Annual defence

Cian Collins reports that he is pleased with Jazzy Matty ahead of the Doctor Dino gelding's bid to repeat last year's victory in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at next week's Cheltenham festival.

The chestnut was ridden to victory by Danny Gilligan 12 months ago and has run only once over fences since then, when unplaced in the Galway Plate, with his other four outings having been over hurdles.

Collins' charge, who also tasted Cheltenham festival success in the 2023 Fred Winter when trained by Gordon Elliott, had a warm-up run at Thurles in January and is set to line up next Wednesday in the two-mile contest which immediately follows the Queen Mother Champion Chase over the same trip.

“He’s in great form and hopefully the ground is drying out over there," said Collins.

“I couldn’t be any happier with him and I’m looking forward to it.

“He’s 8lb higher in the Grand Annual this year and it’s obviously going to be harder, but he loves it there. He’s a better horse there than anywhere.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson