Williamson on Mantles

Norman Williamson will partner the 20 to 1 Champion Hurdle outsider, Mantles Prince, at Gowran on Saturday and is also likely to ride the Pat Hughes runner in the festival championship itself.

Last year's Ladbroke winner will oppose Youlneverwalkalone in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle and possibly even the steeplechase veteran, Dorans Pride, at the weekend, but Hughes yesterday confirmed the Champion Hurdle is on Mantles Prince's agenda.

"Norman Williamson rides him again on Saturday and he has told us he will ride the horse in the Champion Hurdle too. He was very pleased with his run behind Istabraq the last time," he said. Hughes, who also confirmed Saturday's Newbury disappointment, Grinkov, on course for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, had touted the possibility of missing Cheltenham and instead waiting for Liverpool after Mantles Prince had been runner-up to Istabraq in the AIG. Youlneverwalkalone, also 20 to 1 for the Champion but a 6 to 1 shot for the Stayers, is set to clash with Mantles Prince at Gowran; and Michael Hourigan is eyeing the two-mile contest as an alternative for Dorans Pride to a three-mile Boyne Hurdle clash with the 4 to 1 Stayers' favourite, Limestone Lad, at Navan on Sunday.

Hourigan is coming to terms with the loss of A Friend Of Mine, a three-time winner, who had a choice of the National Hunt Chase or the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the festival.

Sadly, the horse died of a twisted gut on Friday, devastating the Hourigan yard, and the trainer said yesterday: "It's very unfortunate because the horse would have gone to Cheltenham with a real live chance in whatever race he ran in. Most times you got to Cheltenham just hoping but this horse would have had a live chance."

Sunday's major hurdling focus will be on Limestone Lad in the McCabe Builders Boyne Hurdle, and a spokesperson for permit holder James Bowe said yesterday: "Everything is fine with him and we're looking forward to Navan. Shane McGovern will ride."