Golden Ace chasing more Cheltenham glory for ScottImage source, BBC SportImage caption, Trainer Jeremy Scott landed the Champion Hurdle with Golden Ace last March ByGideon Brooks, BBC Sport England and Jack Killah, BBC Radio SomersetPublished42 minutes agoJeremy Scott says he has probably used up a lifetime’s share of luck at Cheltenham after Golden Ace was gift-wrapped the Champion Hurdle by State Man falling at the last fence 12 months ago.But as he prepares for his eight-year-old mare’s title defence on the opening day of the festival on Tuesday, the Somerset handler appears quietly confident that this time round she may not need any such fortune.The absence of Constitution Hill, whose jumping issues have forced his move to the Flat, and injuries to State Man and Sir Gino have already robbed a significant threat from this year’s field.
Scott mentioned their absence has “levelled it all up a little bit”.
Against a bunch of hurdlers, who look much of a muchness, with none staking an unshakeable claim it is not a huge leap to a point where Golden Ace repeats her win of 12 months ago and puts her trainer back in dreamland.
“I am really pleased with the way she is at the moment and the way the race has panned out,” Scott told BBC Radio Somerset.
“We have lost the two best hurdlers in the form of Constitution Hill and Sir Gino it has levelled it all up a little bit.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way she is going into it and, as long as everything holds together, I think we’ve got a really good chance.”
