Countrywide Flame looks in good shape for Festival

Last season’s Triumph Hurdle hero disappointed in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but looked more like his old self when second behind last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby at Doncaster last month.

A statement posted on the Malton trainer’s website yesterday read: “Countrywide Flame did his final serious piece of work this morning and came through it well. He led the string at a good pace before extending nicely. It’s now all systems go for him next week.”

There will be a maximum of 10 runners in Tuesday’s race, the day one highlight of the National Hunt Festival, following the latest declarations.

The field is headed by 2011 hero Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby, who prevailed 12 months ago under Noel Fehily.

Quinn, who won the opener at Catterick yesterday with King Fingal, also provided upbeat reports on Kashmir Peak and Hidden Justice, who are both bound for the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday week.

“Kashmir Peak and Hidden Justice will have their final ‘blowouts’ next Monday morning ahead of their intended crack at the Triumph Hurdle,” reported the North Yorkshire yard.

“Physically, they are both in tip-top form. Both horses schooled together (yesterday morning) and were like old handicappers the way they attacked their hurdles.”

Owner Roger Brookhouse has confirmed Cheltenian will line up in Tuesday’s William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham following a pleasing racecourse gallop at Exeter.

A previous Festival winner, having landed the 2011 Champion Bumper, the seven-year-old returned from a near two-year absence to run a fantastic race at Doncaster last month, beaten just a short head by Minella Forfitness.

The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding also holds an entry in the longer Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next Wednesday, but will instead go for the Festival curtain-raiser.

Cheltenian is one of 19 horses remaining in the Supreme following the confirmation stage, with no notable defections.

The JP McManus-owned duo of My Tent Or Yours and Jezki are still in the mix, while Un Atout is one of four possible runners for Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins, the others being Champagne Fever, Mozoltov and Pique Sous.

Hot favourite Simonsig heads a field of 12 horses left in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy on Tuesday.

Although the Nicky Henderson-trained grey has not run since slamming Hinterland by 35 lengths at Kempton at Christmas, the seven-year-old grey has been delighting connections with his homework ahead of his eagerly-anticipated clash with Donald McCain’s Overturn.

Henderson’s great rival Paul Nicholls believes the step up to three miles will play to the strengths of Sam Winner in the Pertemps Final.

The six-year-old gelding is ante-post favourite for the coveted Listed affair next Thursday after he defeated Peddlers Cross in a “jumpers’ bumper” at Kempton in January.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet over hurdles, and three miles will bring out the best in him,” said the champion trainer.

Leading jockey Robert Thornton will miss the rest of the season due to injury.

Thornton suffered a heavy fall when riding Our Phylli Vera for his boss Alan King at Southwell on Monday.