RACING: Record-breaking rider Tony McCoy, who rode winner number 256 on Shemdani at Market Rasen yesterday, has been installed the 11 to 10 favourite by William Hill to land the Leading Jockey Award at next week's Cheltenham Festival.
"McCoy has an incredible book of rides including the likes of Valiramix, Seebald, Edredon Bleu, Classified, Shooting Light and Londoner at next week's meeting," said Hill's head of public relations David Hood.
One jockey who will not be at the festival is Philip Hide. He misses the prestigious meeting after discovering he had fractured a bone in his left ankle when unseated from Pace Stalker at Folkestone on February 19th .
Leading JCB Triumph Hurdle contender Eluna is expected to join Alvechurch trainer Ian Williams later this week. Eluna is currently in the care of German handler Christian Von Der Recke, who has saddled the filly to land two easy victories at Warwick this season. She is a best-priced 14 to 1 for Thursday's race in which she is now set to carry the colours of John Poynton, who also owns leading Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Landing Light.
A slight change in the race conditions of the four-mile National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham on Wednesday week has resulted in a record entry announced yesterday of 61.
Irish-trained horses have won seven of the nine runnings of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and account for 14 of the 46 entries in this year's renewal. The home defence includes runaway Ascot winner Rhinestone Cowboy (Jonjo O'Neill).
There are 42 engaged in the Cathcart Chase Challenge Cup on Thursday, including Ceanannas Mor, a full-brother to Stormyfairweather, winner of the last two runnings.
Cheltenham leading rider betting: William Hill: 11-10 Tony McCoy, 100-30 Mick Fitzgerald, 7-1 Norman Williamson, Richard Johnson, 10-1 Charlie Swan, Ruby Walsh, 25-1 Tony Dobbin, Adrian Maguire, Paul Carberry, Thierry Doumen, Timmy Murphy, 33-1 bar.
