Ricci still hopes for Supreme contender

We speak to Rich and Susannah Ricci’s racing manager, Joe Chambers, about unearthing a Sky Bet Supreme horse and more.

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has been a happy hunting ground for owners Susannah & Rich Ricci in recent years.

Champagne Fever, Vautour and Douvan carried their silks to successive victories between 2013 and 2015 and last year Min went off a warm favourite before finishing second to Altior.

So what of 2017? We spoke to the Ricci’s racing manager Joe Chambers about their prospects for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

“There’s no Douvan or Vautour lurking this year, or at least we don’t think there is at this stage,” he said.

“To be fair we have a good few three and four-year-olds for next year – we’ll be stronger in the novice hurdling department then when they’re four or five but we could still have runners this year.

“Of those that have run Senewalk was disappointing at Punchestown last month but we’ve had his wind tweaked since. He was something of a hype horse before setting a foot on a racetrack here and we haven’t decided yet whether to crack on with him or lay off and retain his novice status for next season.

“Riven Light, a Raven’s Pass gelding, won at Thurles on his first start for us and did it quite well. We don’t know what he beat but I’d imagine we’ll find out more about him over Christmas.

“He has entries in a …

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