McConnell's Fennor Cross aims for Cheltenham hat-trick

Not too many horses will turn up for the Cheltenham Festival next week having won their last two races at Prestbury Park, but that's certainly the case with John McConnell's Fennor Cross.

This former four-time Flat-winner has really taken to hurdling and shed his maiden tag in good style at Cheltenham in October.

He reappeared at the same track the following month where he stayed on well to land the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle by three and a-half lengths.

The five-year-old son of Elzaam has been wrapped up since then, but will take his chance in the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

McConnell said: "He's (running in) Supreme because he didn't qualify for the handicaps.

"We had a blip and couldn't get another run into him, we just couldn't get the fourth run into him.

"Obviously, there's a lot of talking horses in the race and he'll need to improve, but he'll love the course and he'll stay well.

"He won't disgrace himself, that's for sure."