Jamie Snowden looks to Aintree with light Cheltenham on the cards

Jamie Snowden hopes to have a good team heading to Aintree with a light Cheltenham Festival on the cards.

The Lambourn handler, who won what was then the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival with Present View, could have a couple of runners next week but is more likely to take a stronger team to Liverpool.

That will be headed by the aforementioned Present View, who is on track for the Crabbie's Grand National.

Snowden said: "I'd say that the only two possibles [for Cheltenham] at present would be Buche de Noel for the mares' novice hurdle and Dark Lover for the Foxhunters, but neither is a definite yet.

"Unfortunately our Cheltenham possibles look to have taken a bit of a hit this season with Present View likely to head to Aintree, Souriyan just getting his confidence back following a nasty fall, Monbeg Theatre and Val De Law being off injured, Buche De Noel looking unlikely to be ready on time, Baraymi pulling muscles in his back on his final start before a possible tilt at the Fred Winter, and Dark Lover only 50-50 at present as Page Fuller (his jockey) has just injured her neck.

"I'd therefore hope that we might have a few possibles for Aintree which might also include Three Ways who won at Stratford the other day.  Present View is on target for the National providing he comes through his test in a novice hurdle at the back end of March.

"Buche De Noel is a smashing mare who has won four of her last five starts in France.  Unfortunately she bruised her cannon bone when reaching for a fence on her British debut and has had some time in rehab since. 

"She looks great now, and although we might be forced to miss Cheltenham as it might come too soon, she is the type who should excel in the Spring, and might be one for Aintree or the Cheltenham meeting in April.

"Dark Lover has been a revelation in the Hunter Chase ranks this season and booked his place in the Cheltenham Foxhunters with two clear cut wins earlier this season. 

"Unfortunately Page has injured her neck in a recent pointing fall, and so will be forced to miss Cheltenham.  We are still undecided if we should go to Cheltenham with a new jockey, or wait for the Aintree Foxhunters when Page should be back in the saddle."

Meanwhile, Snowden's yard have announced a new sponsorship deal with Huntswood, a specialist provider of consulting and customer service solutions to regulated industries. Huntswood was founded by David Brownlow, who owns the aforementioned Three Ways and Buche De Noel as well as part-owning Mollyanna with HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall.

The sponsorship got off to the perfect start as Orchard Park set off as the first runner and became the first winner under the new yard sponsorship which commenced on March 1.

Snowden said: "I am delighted that Huntswood is our new yard sponsor. I have known David as an owner for several years, he has been very supportive and is passionate about racing. I hope to share some notable successes over the forthcoming seasons."

Phil Fox, COO at Huntswood said: "We are very pleased to announce this sponsorship deal and are delighted to partner with Jamie and his yard. We wish the team the best of luck for the rest of the season and look forward to a successful association."