Powering Up To Cheltenham

With just a few days until the roar heralds the start of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, anticipation for the Cheltenham Festival has reached a boiling point. Months of preparation and hard work will come to a head in just two days time, and it’s a period where all the jockeys are focused on just one thing; winning.

The last few Festivals have been dominated by Ireland and Robbie Power doesn’t see that changing this campaign. You couldn’t argue with that stance either, with Ireland holding the aces in a lot of the antepost markets. Our Who will win the 2019 Prestbury Cup article goes into detail about the chances of both sides, however, and it’s a lot closer than you might think, as the Home Nation tries to claw back pride after a rout last year.

Power is under no illusions about the British charge, however, speaking in a Boylesports Mini Documentary, he acknowledges the strong team that Nicky Henderson possesses, including the extremely impressive Altior. Power knows more than most about the British charge, having ridden a lot in England over the winter for Colin Tizzard.

Power is going to have quite the armoury at Cheltenham, as he mentions in the video, with the backing of both Jessie Harrington and Colin Tizzard giving him some of the strongest horses from both sides of the Irish Sea. Currently an overlooked 33/1 in the betting market for the Top Festival Jockey, he will certainly need a bit of luck in the handicaps, but he’s certainly got the riding talent to get his horses competitive.

As we saw last year for Ruby Walsh, injuries are something that all jockeys worry about and that’s no different for Power. There is always someone in racing to jump in and take your place, with the agony of someone else riding what could have been your winner that spurs on the recovery for him.

With his Gold Cup victory on Sizing John still fresh in the memory, Robbie will looking to add to his Festival winning tally, which currently stands at four. With all the motivation and two power house yards behind, you couldn’t discount him from doing the business once again.

We’d like to thank Boylesports for the use of their fantastic Mini Documentary and also wish Robbie Power the best of luck at Cheltenham.