WITH less than two weeks to go before the start of the Cheltenham Festival, which is recognised as the biggest jumps meeting in the world, local trainer David Pipe’s plan are at an advanced stage, writes Richard Walsh.

The Nicholashayne-based handler, who has sent out almost 60 winners so far this season, has talked about his Cheltenham prospects.

He said: “We will probably have a smaller team than usual this year and as ever the racing will be very competitive but our horses are in good form, so hopefully what we send will run well.

“Doctor Harper has done nothing wrong for us over fences so far and he will be one of our better chances during the week.

“Starchitect,who finished second in the Betfair Hurdle, will be running in one of the handicap hurdles, and entered in the County Hurdle which is over two and a half miles.

“Dynaste ran a lot better for us on Saturday so he may well go for the Ryanair, but we have to see how he comes out of it.

“Vieux Lion Rouge was runner-up in a handicap chase at Ascot on Saturday and he may well run in the four mile national hunt chase or he might go to the Midlands National on Saturday at Uttoxeter.”

Finally was this the year that David Pipe was going to win the race named after his Dad at the Festival?

“I haven’t won my dad’s race so far and I don’t think I will this year!” he added.