CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: My Tent Or Yours faces tough field (From Swindon Advertiser)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: My Tent Or Yours faces tough field

6:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport

Ante-post favourite My Tent Or Yours will face 11 rivals in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old obliterated a field of top-drawer handicappers in last month’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, and with Tony McCoy on board he is going to be a warm order to claim the Festival curtain-raiser.

Leading owner JP McManus has a formidable hand, with My Tent Or Yours joined by Jessica Harrington’s Irish raider Jezki, unbeaten in four starts over obstacles.

Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins saddles Un Atout, Champagne Fever and Pique Sous, ridden by Davy Russell, Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend respectively.

Henderson admits he fears the Irish trio of Jezki, Un Atout and Champagne Fever as well as Dodging Bullets.

“Cheltenham is totally different to what he’s done before,” Henderson said.

“All he has known is flat tracks but he is learning all the time to relax. I think the top four or five in the betting are very interesting - it’s a seriously good race.”