CHELTENHAM DAILY NEWS NOTES | Tuesday 22nd February

Only 21 days remain until the Cheltenham Festival kicks off, with punters continuing to hunt down as much information as possible to make a fair judgement on each race.

In our latest edition of the news segment, the team touch on several promising talents that could feature in the Champion Hurdle and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as well as a Newbury winner potentially making his way to Prestbury Park.

Here are the Daily News Notes for Tuesday.

ADAGIO FOR STRINGS HURDLES (CHAMPION EDITION)

It’s all systems go for Adagio, as trainer David Pipe declared his promising recruit will be heading to Cheltenham in three weeks’ time.

The five-year-old will be taking on the likes of Honeysuckle and Appreciate It in the Champion Hurdle, after making an respectable return to action at Wincanton on Saturday.

The gelding produced an epic contest with Goshen on the weekend, with both runners battling it out until the final strides in the Kingwell Hurdle.

Gary Moore’s star did come out on top on this occasions, but there was still plenty of optimism to take from Adagio’s performance.

Speaking after the race, Pipe made it clear which contest is in his sights for his future star.

“I think he deserves to take his chance in the Champion Hurdle and that would be the plan.

“Outside of Honeysuckle it’s an open race. A lot can happen between now and Cheltenham and I’m not sure who’ll turn up, but obviously they’ve all got Honeysuckle to beat.”

Adagio is currently a best-priced 20/1 shot for the Champion Hurdle.

JONBON’S PRESTBURY PURSUIT

Nicky Henderson has been preparing Jonbon for a top-class edition of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, where he will take on talented stable rival Constitution Hill.

The Seven Burrows trainer spoke about his two trump cards in the opening contest at the Cheltenham Festival.

“Constitution Hill would stand there all day – he’d lie down for you – although Jonbon did behave very well. He’s completely the opposite, quite a hyper horse.

“They both worked on Saturday, but not together and they will not do that. They do the same work, but don’t need to work together.

“It would ruin the party if we knew the answer, wouldn’t it? I don’t want trials here, that’s not the point of working horses together.”

Constitution Hill stands as 9/4 favourite for the contest, while Jonbon holds a 4/1 price tag currently.

SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR AMARILLO

Following his thumping 10-length victory in the 2m½f Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newbury on Sunday, Amarillo Sky could well make his Cheltenham bow in the Grand Annual next month.

The six-year-old bounced back at the first time of asking for Colin Tizzard, as he fell at two out at the Berkshire course back in January.

Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard spoke after his success and made it clear where Amarillo Sky was heading next.

“I’m just delighted with him, he jumped and stayed on well – we’ll probably have a crack at the Grand Annual.”

“It’s nice going into Cheltenham. It wasn’t very exciting last year, but this year it’s really good. It’s lovely to have them in good form and we’ve got a dozen or so we think have got chances.”

Amarillo Sky is currently a 12/1 shot for the Grand Annual.