It is Christmas time for horse racing enthusiasts and casual punters alike as the Cheltenham Races for 2024 get underway today.
The English venue will be thronged for the next four days and Day 1 has serious Laois interest.
The Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase is the final race of the day.
It begins at 5.30pm and a Laois owned horse will be among the seven runners who have entered.
Salvador Ziggy is owned by a husband and wife duo from Vicarstown – Liam and Aisling Hurley.
The pair not only own the horse – but they also bred him at home too.
Liam owns Teamwoodcraft which is a architectural joinery business based in Ballybrittas.
While Aisling is the founder of The Business Fairy Digital Marketing Agency which is also based out of Ballybrittas.
Gordon Elliott trains Salvador Ziggy and they went very close to glory last year in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.
Salvador Ziggy went into the race as the highest rated horse in the field and finished second behind Good Time Jonny.
After that, the horse enjoyed victories in Punchestown, Tramore and Killarney.
He was last seen in Ireland at the Listowel Races in September where he finished second in the Kerry National behind Desertmore House.
Salvador Ziggy’s last appearance on a race track was back in October when he tried to emulate Shark Hanlon’s Hewick by winning the American Grand National.
It wasn’t to be on that occasion and after a good rest, the horse is ready to take on the field today where he is currently at odds of around 10/1.
Once again, the ground in Cheltenham is classed as ‘Soft/Heavy in Places’ which is not what Salvador Ziggy prefers.
But with Irish jockey Brian James on his back, all in Laois will be hoping for a winner.
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