Supported by Ladbrokes at 11-2, having been 10-1 two weeks before, Churchstonewarrior has not finished out of the first two in four starts over fences. The gutsy winner of the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan last month, provides Sweeney and jockey James Hannon with their best chance at the festival.

Sweeney was respectful of Gaillard Du Mesnil, a Brown Advisory favourite, but acknowledged that you cannot be fearful of only one horse. He mentioned that Churchstonewarrior keeps improving with every start, so hopefully would continue that at Cheltenham. The County Cork-based trainer has had two Festival runners before, Roseys Hollow in the mares novices' hurdle in 2021 and Mahler Allstar in the Champion Bumper a year earlier.

Sweeney expressed the great excitement surrounding the yard but insisted not to get ahead of themselves. He noted that, while sport is a great leveller, they were going to carry on as normal and wait for the National Hunt Chase with anticipation.

The race will be a great opportunity for Churchstonewarrior and Sweeney to make their mark at Cheltenham.