EBONY Express will be gunning for glory today in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (2.05pm).
Trained by Dr Richard Newland in Claines, the six-year-old is fresh from stunning Sandown with a 33-1 upset in the William Hill Imperial Cup on Saturday.
Ebony Express is a 14-1 hope for Cheltenham success and is once again going under the guidance of jockey Will Kennedy.
Another county-trained charge Roman Flight, a 33-1 shot, from David Dennis’ stables in Hanley Swan, will be trying to upset the odds.
There was disappointment for Newland and his Grand National-winning hero Pineau De Re in the Pertemps Network Final Hurdle.
The 12-year-old gelding, who won the Grand National for Newland last April, was ridden by Leighton Aspell and finished an underwhelming 11th.
Cropthorne trainer Tony Carroll will also carry the county’s hopes at Prestbury Park when his 100-1 outsider Prairie Town goes in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30pm).
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