Quinn is banking on Recession Proof

The winner of last month’s Totesport Trophy at Newbury when he edged out fellow Yorkshire raider Bothy in a terrific finish, the Malton handler believes the five-year-old hurdler – and stablemate Moonlight Drive – offer his best chances of Festival success.

Quinn, an ultra-consistent dual purpose trainer, has not been in the fabled Cheltenham winner’s enclosure since the enduring Character Building prevailed two years ago.

With the 11-year-old grey, a fast-finishing third at Doncaster this Saturday, bypassing the Festival ahead of a probable Grand National tilt, Quinn hopes his younger generation can rise to the top.

Recession Proof, says the trainer, will take his chance in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – the Festival’s opening race on Tuesday – while Moonlight Drive will run in the three-mile Albert Bartlett Hurdle on Friday week.

“Both Recession Proof and Moonlight Drive are pleasing me,” said Quinn.

“Recession Proof is bouncing after his win at Newbury and we won’t be running scared of anything come the curtain raiser for the week. That’s not to say I don’t respect several others in the race, it’s just I have great faith in our lad.”

An eyecatching run by Recession Proof would certainly enhance Bothy’s credentials in the Coral Cup, with the latter’s trainer Brian Ellison – one of Quinn’s rivals in Malton – already confident about his charge’s prospects.

A winner early last month at Wetherby, Quinn also harbours dreams of Moonlight Drive – another five-year-old – springing a surprise in the Albert Bartlett.

Both are set to be ridden by in-form Malton jockey Dougie Costello whose impressive book of rides include Gold Cup prospect Midnight Chase.

“Moonlight Drive could well be a forgotten horse in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle,” added Quinn.

“His work at home since his win at Wetherby has been good and I have no doubt he has improved since it... he will need to though! Whatever happens at Cheltenham he will be a very exciting horse to send novice chasing next year.”

Nicky Henderson’s exciting young hurdler Aegean Dawn is among 40 entries for the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown.

The six-year-old could land a £75,000 bonus if he lands Saturday’s ferociously competitve handicap - and then any race at Cheltenham the following week.

An impressive winner of two quickfire races last autumn for rising star David Bass, Aegean Dawn has two Cheltenham options – the Coral Cup and the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle.

Significantly Mick Fitzgerald named Aegean Dawn as his Festival ‘banker’ during a Festival preview at Doncaster.

Henderson, who took this race with Dave’s Dream in 2009, has three other Imperial entries in Eradicate, Giorgio Quercus and Owen Glendower. David Pipe and his father Martin are so far the only trainers to have scooped the cash incentive.

Pipe snr did it twice courtesy of Olympian (1993) and Blowing Wind five years later.

Meanwhile, the present incumbent at Nicholashayne emulated his father in 2007 with Gaspara.

Pipe has two Imperial entries in Arrayan and Ronaldo Des Mottes, who are both doubly engaged at next week’s big meeting.

Noel Meade is more worried about Pandorama’s limited experience over fences than the lack of a recent run heading into the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup next week.

The eight-year-old – Ireland’s leading hope – has won nine of his 11 races under Rules, with his only defeats coming behind Mikael D’Haguenet over hurdles and when he pulled up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

The 14-1 returned from that setback to win the Lexus Chase in fine style but missed his intended Cheltenham prep race with a minor injury.

“I don’t think the lack of a run is going to be a problem, other than the fact it would have been more experience,” explained Meade.

“If we get good to soft ground that will be okay but what we don’t want is the sun to come out with a drying wind.”

Kauto Star features among 90 entries for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 23 – the traditional finale of the NH season. The dual Gold Cup winner is one of 10 possibles for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, with the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned What A Friend another notable entry.

Silver By Nature – the top weight winner of Haydock’s Blue Square Gold Cup – will line up at Aintree on April 9 after trainer Lucinda Russell persuaded reluctant owners Geoff and Joyce Brown to run their stayer in the Grand National.