Garde looking good

Hat-trick bid is on with champion in good form ahead of Festival

Last updated: 10th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Garde Champetre far left

Garde Champetre (r): Winning at Cheltenham

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Cross country specialist Garde Champetre is in fine form ahead of a hat-trick bid in the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

The 11-year-old defied top weight of 11st 12lb 12 months ago and will attempt to do the same again in the 12 months later.

Of the 25 possibles for the three-mile-seven-furlong test, five are from the Garde Champetre team of owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger.

The others are last year's runner-up L'Ami, Freneys Well, Drombeag and Heads Onthe Ground, but Bolger's main two contenders are reported in fine shape.

"They are in great order and we couldn't be happier with them," said the owner's racing manager, Frank Berry.

Sizing Australia was runner-up to Garde Champetre over this unique circuit in December, and trainer Henry de Bromhead is looking forward to the race.

"Australia is in great order and we're looking forward to running him again," he said.

"Enda Bolger obviously has a monopoly on the race at the moment but our horse has run well round there before so we'll see how he gets on."

Other interesting entries include 2007 Grand National hero Silver Birch, Monkerhostin, Cornish Sett, Preists Leap and Lacdoudal.