Hereford Racecourse's Katie Stephens says: Cheltenham countdown underway (From Hereford Times)

Hereford Racecourse's Katie Stephens says: Cheltenham countdown underway

11:40am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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FOR followers of National Hunt, it’s the greatest show on earth: The Cheltenham Festival.

For months, all the talk in jump racing circles has been about which horses will run and which horses will win.

I’m a huge Denman fan, but I’m not sure he can beat Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, especially as the ground could very well be drying towards the end of next week and a quicker surface will favour the horse that’s already won the race twice.

I am sweet on the chances of Go Native in the Champion Hurdle. If he succeeds, then his connections land the £1 million WBX Hurdling Triple Crown after his victories in both the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

If he runs in the World Hurdle next Thursday, then I fancy Tidal Bay to overturn the odds-on favourite Big Buck’s.

Personally, I’ll be taking a close interest in the Nicky Henderson-trained General Miller in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – the opening race of the Festival - as I sold the nephew of ‘The General' to racehorse owner and syndicate manager Henry Ponsonby.

General Miller will be taking on many people’s idea of a ‘Festival banker’ – Dunguib.

The next two fixtures at Hereford Racecourse are on Wednesdays, March 24 and 31 when the first races are currently scheduled for 2.30pm and 2.10pm respectively.

Grandstand admission is £15 (£14 when booked in advance), while accompanied children aged under 16 enter free of charge. Find out more at www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk.