CHELTENHAM NEWS

De Giles has high hopes for Easysland

Felix De Giles has high hopes for Easysland at the Cheltenham Festival and hopes his time in quarantine will be worth it.

The 32-year-old has been based in France over the past five years and is required to spend five days in quarantine either side of next week's Cheltenham Festival.

De Giles has been selected by JP McManus to ride highly-rated Easysland in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase.

The seven-year-old recently put in a disappointing performance over course and distance in November, finishing fourth, but De Giles is full of positivity ahead of next week's outing.

“I've ridden him once before and I've won on him at Compiegne. I was meant to ride the stable's other horse called Ajas. He doesn't run now, so they decided to put me on to Easysland,” said De Giles.

“I schooled him the other day. He seems in good order and everything went as planned. Hopefully Easysland travels over nicely and he can give a good account of himself.

“I've got to come over and quarantine beforehand, but I'm hoping it's going to be a decision that pays off.

“I've got to do five days quarantine in England and then five back in France on my return, so it could be quite costly if the horse doesn't win!”