What Cheltenham roar means to jump racing as Sue and Harvey Smith’s veteran Vintage Clouds carries hopes of Yorkshire – The Yorkshire Post says

Today promises to be no exception after last year’s meeting was staged behind-closed-doors due to Covid.

Cheltenham chief Ian Renton on Red Rum, helping Ukraine and the Festival experience

Yet, while Irish-trained horses are expected to continue the Emerald Isle’s recent dominance, the National Hunt Festival reaffirms the sport’s relationship with the countryside – and areas, like Yorkshire, which are rightly proud of their association with horse racing.

And this will be embodied today by 2021 winner Vintage Clouds lining up today at a sixth successive Festival – a remarkable feat of training by Yorkshire showjumping legend Harvey Smith and his wife Sue – as well as Champion Hurdle hope Tommy’s Oscar who is trained amongst cattle by Northumberland farmers Ian and Ann Hamilton.

Here’s hoping that both can contenders can outrun their odds and provide a very timely fillip for racing – and the sport at its very grassroots.

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