‘Strange’ Feeling For Tubber’s O Connor To Miss Cheltenham Festival

Tubber jockey Derek O Connor says it will be a ‘strange feeling’ for him to be watching the Cheltenham Festival from afar when it gets underway tomorrow.

O Connor is a four time winner at the Cotswolds, having won the National Hunt Chase in both 2011 and 2016, along with victories in the Foxhunters Chase and the Kim Muir.

He and other amateur riders have been precluded from travelling across the water due to current public health restrictions.

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Action gets underway at the four day showpiece tomorrow, with the Champion Hurdle set to be the pick of day one’s racing.

O Connor says staying away is a small price to pay to ensure the Festival can go ahead.

To hear a full Cheltenham preview with Derek O Connor and Quin pundit Conor O Neill, tune into Clare FM tonight at 9pm or hear the podcast now on Clare dot FM.