Horse Racing

Cheltenham Festival News: Imperial Alcazar to serve it up in Paddy Power Plate for Fergal O'Brien

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer9 March 2022
Imperial Alcazar winning at Cheltenham under Paddy Brennan

Imperial Alcazar winning at Cheltenham under Paddy Brennan

Fergal O'Brien is having his best ever season as a trainer and is sending a small but strong team from his base ten miles from Cheltenham. Imperial Alcazar looks his best hope.

Imperial Alcazar will be at the tip of the spear for Fergal O'Brien's team for Cheltenham and looks to be heading for the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase on March 17.

O'Brien's Ravenswell Farm Cotswolds base is just 10 miles from Prestbury Park, and a victory at jump racing's biggest meeting would cement a best ever season for the yard who are already on 110 winners.

Imperial Alcazar has four entries, with the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase favoured over the Ultima Handicap Chase, the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and the Turners Novices' Chase.
"We're looking towards the Plate on Thursday. That seems to be where we are heading at the minute," said O'Brien.
"Fingers crossed he's in great form. He had an away day yesterday (Monday) and we're very pleased with him."
A 10-length winner at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January, Imperial Alcazar is second-favourite at a best-priced 8-1 for the Plate.
O'Brien also sends the fancied Alaphilippe, who is similarly an 8-1 chance for the Pertemps Network Handicap Final.

A fifth in a qualifier at Warwick in January booked the Cheltenham date, on his first start since he was also fifth in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at last year's Festival.

"He's going for the Pertemps. We're very happy with big Phil," he said.
"He's only had the one run this year, but hopefully that will have brought him spot on.
"He was just a little short. Paddy (Brennan) said he blew up on the turn into the straight. We were happy with the run, it got him qualified and it was job done so we're looking forward to running him."

O'Brien is also singing the praises of Poetic Music, who puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

"She'll go for the Bumper. She gets a great allowance and stuff so we're looking forward to her as well," said O'Brien.
"We are very pleased with her."
Poetic Music won over a mile and three-quarters at Cheltenham on New Year's Day to make it three from three.
"We only have a small team. Hopefully Gumball will go for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual. Everything else probably won't get in the handicaps," O'Brien added.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2022 guide: When is it, times, big races, top horses, trainers, jockeys and more.

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