David Pipe confident of Cheltenham Festival joy

David Pipe seems confident going into Cheltenham

David Pipe was the most successful British trainer at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival and he has high hopes again for this year.

The Somerset-based trainer watched three of his runners enter the winners enclosure at Prestbury Park last year, with Western Warhorse's win on the opening day followed by two victories on day three, with success for Dynaste and Ballynagour.

Pipe is without the injured Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste through injury, but he remains upbeat about his chances again at the Festival, describing his squad of runners as similar to 2014 in "strength and depth" and that his charges are in good form.

Speaking to Cheltenham Racing Radio, the son of the legendary Martin Pipe, stated: "We've got a good team of horses, who have been running well all season. If they are good enough, they will win on any ground you give them."

King's Palace appears to be the stand-out horse of the Pipe stable and looks to have a great chance of landing the RSA Chase.

The seven-year-old has won its last three races, two of those at Cheltenham. His last run came at Newbury in the 3m Better Odds with Betfair Price Rush Novices' Chase, when recording a length win over Vivaldi Collonges in a two-runner race.

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When asked about the gelding, Pipe said: "Things didn't pan out for him (over hurdles) at Cheltenham last year. He's had good preparations this year and he seems to be a very good jumper over fences.

"Obviously it's going to be a hot RSA, but we are happy with our fellow and it will take a good horse to beat him on the day."

The trainer has described King's Palace as the finished article now, after being "one dimensional" last year. He feels the son of King's Theatre is a "lot more professional" than 12 months ago.

Another of Pipe's big hopes is Un Temps Pour Tout, who is set to run in the World Hurdle on day three of the Festival.

The six-year-old's last race was at Cheltenham, when finishing third behind Saphir Du Rheu and Reve de Sivola in the Cleeve Hurdle in January.

Pipe admits that Un Temps Pour Tout was a bit tired towards the end of that race, but is expecting him to improve for that showing.

Speaking about the bay gelding, the trainer added: "Mine don't usually improve for the run, but this was the first time we've started from scratch with this fella and he takes a fair bit of work to get fit.

"I'd like to think he's come on quite a bit for that. In a wide open World Hurdle, I'd like to think he's got a big each-way chance."

Pipe is due to have four runners on the first day of this year's Festival, as he looks to get off to a flying start.

Some feel his best chance of a day one success is with Gevrey Chambertin, who runs in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (2.40pm).

The seven-year-old won at Newbury last time out, in December, beating Kaki De La Pree in a 3m Handicap Chase, with Tom Scudamore on board.

Pipe admits an early win is vital to a good week, saying: "I can't stress how much difference it makes getting a winner on the first day. It's a massive week, with lots of work done by everyone back at the yard. It's our Olympics."