The Cheltenham Festival / Stuart Jones / 15 March 2011 /

With an unusually weak hand in the early contests, Stuart Jones thinks Ireland will have to wait until the feature race of the opening day to chalk up their first winner of the 2011 Festival.

The late absence of Binocular does little to detract from what looks one of the strongest renewals of the Champion Hurdle for some time and Hurricane Fly holds an excellent chance of making his first visit to Prestbury Park a winning one. Willie Mullins's top-class hurdler took his Grade 1 tally to seven with his best effort yet in the Irish equivalent of this race at Leopardstown in January, when again comfortably getting the better of Solwhit, and he gives the impression he has even more to offer if and when required. He is preferred to Oscar Whisky and Menorah.

With the absence of a real standout performer in the novice ranks this year, it looks as if Quevega could be the Irish banker this time around. Having won the last two runnings of the David Nicholson in impressive fashion, she holds outstanding form claims and has already proven that such a lengthy absence isn't too much of a concern, defying a twelve-month break prior to winning the 2010 renewal. Quevega saved her best effort effort for her final start last term, beating Bensalem over 3m in a Grade 1 at Punchestown that has worked out well. Her nearest rival, Banjaxed Girl, has 9 lb to find with her on Timeform ratings and it's difficult to understand why Quevega is available to back at odds against.

Recommendations

Back Hurricane Fly @ 4.8 in the 15:20
Back Quevega @ 2.08 in the 16:40

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