Swindon Local Trainer Harry Whittington Out for More Cheltenham Festival Glory in 2021

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Some 15 miles east of Swindon, you'll find yourself at the Sparsholt stables of racehorse trainer Harry Whittington, overlooking the equine hub of Lambourn.

Many of the top British National Hunt thoroughbreds use the gallops on the hillsides of the North Downs here. Among those is Saint Calvados, one of several smart members of Whittington's yard owned by Kate and Andrew Brooks.

These connections are no strangers to success at the Cheltenham Festival, the biggest meeting in the jumps horse racing calendar. They also have big plans once again for Saint Calvados. While his Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup odds are bigger than running in the Ryanair Chase, the eight-year-old Saint Des Saints gelding has early closing entries in both of these feature races. Whittington must decide where to run one of his stable stars.

Saint Calvados has only won one of his last nine races, but that doesn't quite tell the full story. He suffered two narrow defeats at Cheltenham last year, going down by a nose and neck. The latter came in the Ryanair Chase where only old rival Min was too good. Saint Calvados has tried longer distances since that gallant second without conclusive proof that he stays any further.

He placed fourth in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, more than eight lengths down on the all-the-way winner Frodon. However, Saint Calvados finished in front of previous Gold Cup runner-up Santini and just a neck behind Kempton course specialist Clan Des Obeaux.

A flat and tight right-handed track may not have suited him at all. As Saint Calvados then unseated his rider in the Cotswold Chase, run at Sandown this year, it is hard to know whether he has the stamina for the rigours of the Gold Cup.

The Ryanair Chase won't be an easier alternative for Whittington and connection by any means either. There is a chink of light about Saint Calvados going one better, though, and that came when Min pulled-up during the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.

If his Cheltenham conqueror can't make it to the Festival for a defence of the Ryanair Chase, then Saint Calvados represents the best of last year's form in the race. There is still the matter of other Irish raiders and British runners to worry about.

Owner-stable companion Simply The Betts, the breakthrough winner of a Grade 3 handicap later the same day at last year's Festival, could also be in the running for the Ryanair Chase. Whittington will have to decide if he wants to keep Saint Calvados apart from him or let the pair take each other on.

Rouge Vif is also in the same ownership and could return to Cheltenham for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Ladies Day. He has put his best foot forward on sounder surfaces but also seen old rival Nube Negra reverse past form when they met again in the Desert Orchid at Kempton over the festive period.

Backed by the Brooks family, Whittington will want to build on their past Festival win by bringing more Cheltenham spoils home to the stable this spring.