By Teresa McGowan

AS CHELTENHAM fever grips the nation the Farney county are resting their hopes on Oliver Brady’s contender Maralan, who will run in the Grand Annual Chase tomorrow (Friday).

The owner of the seven-year-old gelding, Blayney based business woman Rita Shah, said she is hoping the promising horse will get out there and “do it for Monaghan.”

“There is always such great support for our horses at Cheltenham. it would be fantastic to give the fans something back,” gushed Rita.

Maralan is trained by Rita’s business partner Oliver Brady in his stables based in Bawn and has won his last two outings.

Both Oliver and Rita will travel to the world’s most prestigous racing festival tomorrow for the racec while the horse was taken there earlier in the week to climatise to the grounds.

“We wouldn’t be taking him to Cheltenham if we didn’t think he had a serious chance, “ said Oliver Brady, “I only bet on my own horses and I got him at 50/1 six weeks ago. He’s done to 12/1 now. Monaghan should get behind him.”

Oliver and Rita have had two previous achivements at Cheltenham in the past. Last year Baron De Feypo road at third place in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle and in 2003 Balapour came second in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle.

But this year they’re looking for a winner: “The Cheltenham Festival is so exciting and just to have a horse running is a huge honour and we’re really excited about the race,” Oliver said.

“It would be out of this world to win,” Rita added: “I’ve only placed a very small bet of €5 each way. The steak money will do me if we win!

“I just would love to see him do it for Monaghan and Ireland. If we get a result it will be for them.”