A FERNHILL Heath racing syndicate are eyeing success for Theatre Queen today as the Cheltenham Festival gets under way.

The eight-year-old, owned by 10 businessmen based at The Bull Inn on Droitwich Road, is a 33-1 shot in the National Hunt Steeple Chase at 4.40pm.

While it is only Theatre Queen's sixth outing under rules in 12 months, following her switch from point-to-point, connections are confident she can do well.

Theatre Queen, trained and ridden by Gloucester's Mark Wall, won on her previous visit to Prestbury Park last April and put a bad start behind her to finish fourth at Doncaster in February.

"We are very confident," said syndicate member Andy Probyn. "She's got a quirky start and doesn't start well sometimes. At Doncaster she started 35 lengths behind but caught them up and finished fourth. If she had started with them she would have probably won.

"We are hoping if she starts well she can get in the pack and even win it. She is definitely worth an each-way bet."

Today's race is over four miles, which is six furlongs further than the Doncaster distance, but Probyn says Theatre Queen's stamina counts in her favour.

He added: "She won at Cheltenham last year so she is used to the course. We hope Worcester get behind her and we hope to see a successful outcome."