A stone’s throw away from Cleeve Hill and Cheltenham Racecourse in the heart of the Cotswold’s lies the yard of local horse trainer Fergal O’Brien. The Irishman has a growing reputation among the jump racing world but he is yet to have that magical first winner at the Cheltenham Festival.
And perhaps this is his best ever chance. Travelling to the yard and with the pylons on Cleeve Hill in the distance there is a real sense of optimism amongst everyone at the yard. Fergal has had his best ever year and has already had 107 winners in this jump racing calendar and there is big belief on the shoulder of two runners in this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
First up is on Thursday and The Pertemps Network Final at 14:10. Alaphillipe is Fergal’s representative in this race and jockey Paddy Brenan will ride the second favourite at odds 11/2. Despite Alaphillipe racing against Sire De Berlais, last year’s winner in this race, hopes have been pinned on the horse as Feragl’s best chance to break his festival duck.
Later on Thursday at 16:10, Imperial Alcazar will set off at 7/2 in the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase. Imperial Alcazar, who will be ridden by Brenan again, is expected to be in close company with Celebre D’Allen and The Glancing Queen that will set off as joint favourites.
And, after his most successful year ever, a Cheltenham Festival winner for Fergal really would be the icing on the cake and demonstrate the skill and hard work of his whole team at the yard.
Of course it won’t be easy going up against the giants of the jump racing world like Willie Mullins and Henry De Bromhead, but, in this small yard just 12 miles away from where racing fans are flocking from all over the world to watch the greatest jump festival in the world, they could well be leaving knowing the name Fergal O’Brien
