Welsh Champion Hurdle star Effernock Fizz poised for rare double at Cheltenham

Welsh Champion Hurdle heroine Effernock Fizz will bid to cap a whirlwind month at Cheltenham on Saturday as 24-year-old trainer Cian Collins readies his star mare for a crack at the £60,000 888Sport Handicap Chase (3.15).

She will face six rivals including Editeur Du Gite, who finished fourth in last season's Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, and the six-timer-seeking Clear The Runway. The Willie Mullins-trained Dads Lad and Poseidon, who has his first start for Gordon Elliott, join The Widdow Maker and El Borracho in the line-up.

There was no catching Effernock Fizz when taking her form to new heights under Sam Ewing at Ffos Las just under a fortnight ago, and connections are now eyeing an unorthodox double over fences.

The mare has become a marquee horse in the fledgling training career of Collins, having also provided him with a first win under rules when landing a €45,000 Grade B handicap hurdle at Killarney in August.

It was just her second start since joining him, and she could be about to put his name up in lights even further this weekend.

"It's been brilliant to come across a mare like her when I'm starting out," said Collins.

Cian Collins on Effernock Fizz: ''She's helped to get my name out there and has been very good to me'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"She's helped to get my name out there and has been very good to me. It seems she's in great form at the moment and has settled in well to our place, she's enjoying herself.

Collins added: "She was fantastic last time at Ffos Las and showed just how tough she is. It was unbelievable for us to win a race like that."

Grade 3 black type was secured for the first time when runner-up in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Tipperary two starts ago, further indication that Effernock Fizz is currently in the form of her life.

However, she will need to produce by far the best chasing performance of her career to defy a British chasing mark of 133, given she holds a rating of 114 over fences in Ireland.

Collins said: "The handicapper has given her a 19lb higher mark, and that doesn't make things any easier. She hasn't looked as good over fences as she is over hurdles in the past, but when she's in great nick we'll try our best to keep on a roll with her."

Cian Collins (centre): rode two winners on De Plotting Shed in 2016 for trainer Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Collins rode 11 winners under rules in Ireland and Britain before a career-ending injury that saw him fracture his T3, T4 and T5 vertebrae. He also required the insertion of two metal rods and 11 screws put in his back.

On his burgeoning training operation, Collins said: "I have 25 horses in at the moment, mostly young types to look forward to for next year. We're based between Trim and Robinstown in County Meath.

"The doctors wouldn't let me go back riding so I had to change my route at the time. Hopefully it's all onwards and upwards.

"If we happened to be able to get another big day out of Effernock Fizz on Saturday it'd be amazing. A winner at Cheltenham would be incredible."

Knight Salute and Pied Piper primed for rematch

The Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.40) will see a rematch between Knight Salute and Pied Piper, who dead-heated in a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree last season. Knight Salute was given the race in the stewards' room that day and will use this as a stepping stone, with the ultimate goal a crack at the Champion Hurdle.

Kansas City Chief is back at his favourite course to repeat his success in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3.50) from 12 months ago. He will face 2021 Albert Bartlett third Streets Of Doyen and the rapidly improving Salvador Ziggy, who seeks a five-timer for Gordon Elliott.

John McConnell has taken the 3m 888Sport Novices' Hurdle (1.30) for the last two years with horses who have gone on to place in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and he relies on Rexem to make it a hat-trick in as many years. Once-raced hurdle winners Music Drive, Serious Operator and The Moon Sea's Me are among the seven in opposition.

The Hollow Ginge will look to go one better than his second place finish last year in the 888Sport Is Made To Play Handicap Chase (2.05). He was denied by the Elliott-trained Definite Plan on that occasion, and the Cullentra trainer has two lined up this year in Tullybeg and Motown Maggie.

Irish runners make up four of the five declared for the Jim Wilson Memorial Novices' Chase (4.25), which has been won in recent years by Graded winners Does He Know and Galvin. Fergal O'Brien has won the concluding bumper (5.00) three times in the last five years and has two declared, Mamoon Star and Dreaming Diamond.

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