Phil Tufnell named as Betbright Cup captain -
- (February 25 2017)
Phil Tufnell is "feeling pretty confident" about the chances of a British success in the BetBright Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
The former England cricketer and Irish TV and radio presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin were announced as the respective British and Irish captains for the prize, which is awarded to the country with the greatest number of Festival winners.
Ó hEochagáin captained the Ireland side in 2016, but Tufnell is a fresh addition to the line-up this year and is eager for the competition.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to going down to Cheltenham with Hector showing me the ropes a little bit. I think it will be a great four days.
"I'm feeling pretty confident, even if they had brought their A team as they have had a few setbacks. Bring it on."
Last year's event ended in a draw with 14 winners apiece, and Ó hEochagáin is keen to return to Prestbury Park.
He said: "I've just got back from going to Central America before Christmas. I came through the jungles of Honduras and El Salvador and Guatamala, so I look forward to going to another jungle which is Cheltenham.
"We are up for this as well this year. It's the greatest week in racing. It's the rivalry between Ireland and England that we are celebrating here and we are great friends and neighbours. If we can come across with some good horses, we are still in there with a fighting chance."
Rich Ricci, chairman of BetBright, believes the Irish could be up against it this year with the likes of Faugheen, Annie Power and Min, all of whom run in his colours, on the sidelines through injury.
However, Ricci is delighted to see his firm back the competition for a third year.
He said: "It's great to be able to sponsor these things. We could not have got off to a better start to the BetBright Cup. It was competitive throughout.
"I know the odds are stacked against Ireland, but I'm sure they will be competitive. We have got a few up our sleeves that might do all right.
"It's supposed to be fun to enjoy celebrating the Festival and that's what it is."
Ricci also updated on the latest situation with his star mares Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag, with the Festival fast approaching.
Limini impressed in beating Apple's Jade at Punchestown during the week, a race Annie Power won last year before being supplemented for the Champion Hurdle. She could yet follow the same route.
Ricci said: said: "It was a very good performance the other day from Limini. Willie (Mullins) and I haven't really had much chance to talk about it (supplementing). She was very good and it has to be discussed.
"We were successful last year with it and it's a wide-open race. If you fancy Buveur D'Air you probably really have to think about running, given her performance at Aintree (third to Buveur D'Air). She looks much bigger and stronger, and has improved beyond all recognition.
"We've not talked in great detail, the supplement stage is Thursday week. In the meantime she is working well."
He added of Vroum Vroum Mag, who was rather laboured in winning at Doncaster and has a plethora of Cheltenham entries: "I'm confused by Vroum Vroum Mag. Last year, the way she ran, you would have said she will probably get three miles and the Stayers' Hurdle would be an option. This year she just seems a lot keener in her races.
"Over two miles the last day something clearly was amiss. She is fine now, but that wasn't particularly impressive. Two and a half to me feels like her trip, but to get two miles at Cheltenham you need to get two and a half. I'm very confused by her. I would imagine the natural race for her would be the mares' race.
"It depends how she is working and as Willie said earlier in the week, she has just started coming back into work. Her first two pieces have been very good and we are pleased with that. We will see how she gets on.
"I think we are trying to find the right race for her, whether it is against the geldings or the mares, and to me the two and half feels like the right trip. I think it is highly unlikely she will go over fences, unless there is some disaster.
"Possibly (the pair ending up in the same race), it's not something I like to do as you all know, but I can see that happening. We've done it before, but perhaps not with two superstars.
"If you are going to do it, that's where it is going to come to a head. It is possible they could both run in the mares' race. "
