Cheltenham Pointers
The 2011 Cheltenham Festival is within sight and the jump racing community is getting into top gear with horses going through their careful preparations in anticipation of glory in March.
With just a few weeks to go until the crowds descend upon the annual renewal there are plenty of opportunities for horses to get in their last races before the big meeting.
It is also the ideal time for punters to review the form of some of the fancied runners.
One of those that will be watched most closely will be the Donald McCain-trained Peddlers Cross. It is no secret that this smart six-year-old gelding is a firm favourite with his trainer and this is not surprising with five wins from five starts over hurdles.
The gelding is expected to be back in action next week with a run at Kelso in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle on Thursday. There is no doubt that shrewd punters will be watching the action very carefully.
This will be the first action for the horse, which is currently sixth favourite in the ante-post betting market for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
McCain had intended to run his charge in the Champion Hurdle trial at Haydock but the frost wiped out that meeting and then a cough ruled him out of runs at both Sandown and Ffos Las.
So the run at Scottish track will be desperately needed and if the horse runs to form then serious punters will expect a short priced win followed by a shortening of odds for Cheltenham success.
The smart money is watching and any good word from the stable early next week should be noted.
