TIGER’S READY TO ROAR

FLYING TIGER, who won the Fred Winter at last year’s Festival, returns to Cheltenham on an attractive mark.

The gelded son of Soldier Of Fortune, trained by Nick Williams (right), is without a victory since, but he has still turned in some rock-solid efforts to make the frame on each of four outings this winter.

Third to the ill-starred London Prize in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, Flying Tiger ran an excellent third to Buveur D’air, now a dual Champion Hurdler, in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle three weeks on.

He wasn’t at his best when fourth to Irish Roe at Doncaster a fortnight later, but a fourth to Elgin in Wincanton’s Kingwell Hurdle last time rates a better effort.

Back in handicaps and with a good test at the trip in store, Noel Fehily’s mount, 6lb higher than 12 months ago, can gain back-toback Festival triumphs.

The County Hurdle presents its usual conundrum, with A Hare Breath, Bleu Et Rouge and Meri Devie all meriting a second glance. going to be a mares’ chase in Cheltenham, she’s the type you’d want for it.

“Her two runs at home have been very good, but to do that against the best in the British Isles is unbelievable.

“There’s a Grade One in Fairyhouse at Easter. If she recovers we might go for that.”

He added: “We’ve always thought this mare was very decent. There was me thinking Footpad was the best (chance) of the week!

“She looks good. That is against mares, but Footpad did it in a Grade One. She would be better than

Limini and Let’s Dance hasn’t gone on. This mare has much more size and scope.

“She looked something special there.”

Townend said: “This is a special mare. She’s a proper one.

“We’ve always liked her at home. If she had been beaten I’d have been disappointed in myself.

“She’s improving all the time.”