Cheltenham Festival News: Stage Star the main attraction for Paul Nicholls in Ballymore
Stage Star outclasses Challow rivals
Paul Nicholls is going to Cheltenham 2022 with a reduced roster but Stage Star looks a standout chance in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on March 16.
Stage Star is one of the leading attractions for Paul Nicholls' compact Cheltenham Festival team for 2022 and will go for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on March 16.
The six-year-old is three from three over hurdles, including two run away wins at Newbury most recently.
The Fame And Glory gelding took the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December under Harry Cobden and is a general 13/2 shot for the Ballymore.
In a market dominated by the Irish, Stage Star is very much Britain's leading hope - and trainer Paul Nicholls is keen on his chance.
"He was a good bumper horse last year and was always going to be a better horse this year. He's won all three of his novice hurdles and you just wouldn't know how good he might be," said the champion trainer.
"He was ready to go to Exeter a fortnight ago, but the ground was so heavy that day and I didn't want to give him a hard race, so we've just kept him nice and fresh.
"He had a piece of work at Wincanton 10 days ago and went very nicely with Monmiral.
"He's probably one of our best chances of the week, I would say, and whatever happens he'll be a lovely horse to go chasing next season."
