For his fans, from RP.....
Straw Bear heads straight to Cheltenham without run
by Keith Hamer
STRAW BEAR will go straightto the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle without another run.
Connections made the decision after the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old had a workout on Wednesday.
That means Straw Bear, a 20-1 shot for Champion honours at Cheltenham on March 11, will miss Saturday's Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
"He's not running at Wincanton. He's going to go straight for the Champion Hurdle," said trainer Nick Gifford.
"He had a breeze this morning and I've spoken to Frank Berry (the owner's racing manager) and we've decided we're going straight to Cheltenham. The horse is in good form."