Bardenstown Lad is the big hope for Irish trainer John McConnell's team at Cheltenham this weekend.

The County Meath handler will send a small team to Prestbury Park, but he is hopeful of more success after he enjoyed three winners across two days there last month.

Seddon, Encanto Bruno and Fennor Cross all won their respective races and Bardenstown Lad is their main hope in the Novices' Chase opener on Sunday.

The seven-year-old was third in the Abert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. Ther 20/1 shot was beaten nine-and-a-half-lengths by The Nice Guy after winning over two miles in a class two over hurdles at Musselburgh.

He also triumphed over hurdles at Cheltenham in October 2021, but was disappointing on his reappearance in September.

J C Mcconnell  though believes that 30-length Listowel defeat over fences was down to the good ground.

"We're putting his Listowel run down to the ground – he came back a little bit jarred and didn't have a cut at his fences at all that day," said McConnell.

"He's in much better form now – he's physically well, he's schooled well and has won a point-to-point, so he should be a good chaser.

"He has a big engine and if he's able to jump well on Sunday he should be there or thereabouts."

McConnell will also take a chance with Fennor Cross, who won a class three at Cheltenham last month.

The five-year-old course winner will be stepping up in class for the Sky Bet Supreme Trial, but McDonnell says the horse has looked well.

He added: "It's obviously a big step up in class for Fennor Cross, but he has taken his October race well and come out of it really well and schooled well the other day.

"We're happy to take a chance – what else do you do with him? If we didn't run he'd be taking on horses here in Ireland on probably worse ground and the race on Sunday is probably no stronger than what he would have to run in over here."