Paddy Brennan believes Inglis Drever has every chance of another win in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Howard Johnson's charge bids to recapture the title he won in 2005 after injury robbed of him of a defence last term. Inglis Drever put in a pleasing performance when second in the Cleeve Hurdle at Prestbury Park last Saturday when partnered by Brennan for the first time - although the jockey was not happy with his performance in the saddle.
'Myself and Howard had a chat before the race and the plan was to go where Robert Thornton did on the winner (Blazing Bailey). I had been out to walk the track and that was where the better ground was,' said Brennan.
'Coming down the hill, I was just panicking a bit as it was the first time I had ridden him and I wanted to be in a position where I could challenge Black Jack Ketchum. Where it went wrong was when Black Jack Ketchum faded away and left me in front a lot sooner than I wanted.
'He didn't do much once he hit the front and he did get tired, but if I had delayed my challenge a little bit longer and done what Robert Thornton had done, it's hard to say I would have won but I would have been an awful lot closer.
'He has come out of the race 100% and everybody is happy with him. I'd rather I made a mistake in the Cleeve Hurdle than the World Hurdle as that is the main target. It was a joy to ride such a good horse.
'We go there very hopeful now but you'd have to say that Black Jack didn't run his race. All I can say, more so than in any race at the Festival, I would not swap Inglis Drever for anything,' the jockey told At The Races.
