Garde Champetre in fine form to go fourth at Cheltenham

Nov 13 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

ENDA BOLGER said Garde Champetre is in ideal condition as he bids for a fourth victory over course and distance victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon.

The JP McManus-owned 10-year-old won twice over the course last season, but was beaten into second in this contest 12 months ago by Dix Villez.

But trainer Bolger is happy to have another crack this time. He said: “He’s been on the track this morning. He travelled over yesterday and is looking great. He won at the Festival and he won at Christmas time last year so he knows his way round all right.

“He had a run three weeks ago and is cherry ripe now.”

Stablemate Heads Onthe Ground will also line-up. The 12-year-old has also triumphed over the course when winning the cross country chase at the Festival in March 2007 and will be making a seventh appearance over these unique obstacles.

Bolger added: “He’s there to make up the numbers. He will run well but he’s starting to get a bit long in the tooth now. He loves these type of races so we’re letting him take his chance as well.”

Meanwhile 2007 John Smith’s Grand National hero Sliver Birch makes his seasonal return in the race for trainer Gordon Elliott .

Silver Birch finished second two lengths behind Garde Champetre in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in April and Elliott said: “He’s fine and it will be his first run back this season. He’s as fit as we can have him and we are expecting a big run. He did a little bit of hunting last week but he hasn’t done any point-to-pointing. He should have gone in one last week but it was called off. He’s in good nick.”