Mick can’t wait for Festival return
Too much too soon? Mick Fitzgerald doesn’t think so as he can’t wait for Cheltenham’s roar to return – and Constitution Hill to tackle a thrilling curtain-raiser.
The noise to greet the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is likely to be louder than ever as fanatical crowds return following a year’s absence.
Spectators are spoiled for their starter as the race is shaping up to be one of the highlights.
Nicky Henderson brings Constitution Hill and the expensive Jonbon to the party.
Willie Mullins will decide today which one of Sir Gerhard or Dysart Dynamo joins Kilcruit in an early Britain v Ireland showdown.
They’ll both need to be special to trump Constitution Hill who can give Henderson a third win in the race after Altior and Shishkin.
ITV Racing pundit Fitzgerald, twice leading jockey at the Festival, said: “There’s so much strength-in-depth, it’s one of the races of the Festival, I can’t wait.
“That will set the tone for the week. The Irish won 23 of 28 and will hope to do that again.
“But the Brits have a strong chance. My old boss has Constitution Hill, a real star of the future as well as the now.
“He’s going to set a high standard. He’ll be tough to beat. He’s been the model pupil in all his work. It’s almost a shame it’s the first race of the first day!”
Empty grandstands and a near-deserted winners enclosure made for an eerie Cheltenham last year as Rachael Blackmore became the first woman jockey to be crowned leading rider.
“I can’t imagine what it must have been like for jockeys coming back in,” said Fitzgerald.
“Rachael won six times, including a Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle. She should walk back in through throngs of people and receive adulation from them all.
“To not have that must have felt really weird. She’s still got a strong book. Bob Olinger and Tel me something girl are back and in good form. I don’t see anything to beat Honeysuckle, she’s a tough nut to crack.”
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is another cracker, with Fitzgerald favouring the home hero over Energumene.
He said: “It’s a fantastic rematch of the Clarence House at Ascot. Shishkin is proven at the Festival having won twice, that gives him the edge, he deserves to be favourite.”