Spot Thedifference Targets Further Sporting Index Glory Trainer Enda Bolger today revealed that Spot Thedifference, winner of last season´s Sporting Index Handicap Chase - The Cheltenham Festival´s first cross-country event - will aim to win the 3m 7f event again on March 14 at the age of 13.Speaking at a Cheltenham Racecourse media day at his stables in Co Limerick, where he oversees a team of 26, Bolger confirmed that J P McManus´s cross-country star would also be in action at Prestbury Park next month as he tries to again to complete a hat-trick in Cheltenham´s three Sporting Index-sponsored Cross-Country events (this season taking place on Friday, November 11; Friday December 9 and Tuesday, March 14)'Spot Thedifference is going to be 13 years of age next year and last season is going to be a very hard act to follow, but it could just be like the old wine thing. 'We´ll give it a go and if it happens, it happens. It surprised us what he did last season and his forte is how he finishes in his races,' said Bolger, whose team worked this morning under a team of riders that included Paul and Nina Carberry along with Ken Whelan.'When Spot sees that hill at Cheltenham he just eats up the ground, he´s an old horse but he minds himself very well. I certainly wouldn´t swap him for anything else.'Next month´s race is a conditions event (the Sporting Index Chase at The Open on Friday, November 11) which should suit him well, probably better than the handicaps.'Bolger is a fan of The Festival´s Sporting Index Handicap Chase and added: 'The new race at The Festival was a real hit last season as people have got back into cross-country racing. 'I think the combination of what Risk Of Thunder did at Punchestown and the Cheltenham races have brought it right back to the fore. I think having the two races at Cheltenham beforehand is good for the build-up.'Spot Thedifference could be joined in the Cheltenham cross-country races by Buailtes And Fadas, who has been off since finishing fifth the La Touche Cup behind Spot Thedifference in April, 2004, but completed a rare cross-country double in the Ladies Cup and La Touche Cup at the 2003 Punchestown Festival.'We may also have Buailtes And Fadas (for the Cheltenham races) this time around - he missed out last season because he had a leg but when he´s on song he´s good,' continued Bolger. 'His asset is that he´s a terrific jumper and, although he won the La Touche at Punchestown, I just wonder if 3m 7f is too much for him.'Good Step, the 2005 Blue Square Chase (for the La Touche Cup) winner who was partnered this morning by Paul Carberry, is likely to be a longer-term cross-country prospect.
