Cheltenham 2020: Shane Lowry reveals his grand plan to watch Cheltenham… on the golf course

I’m really excited my horse Theatre of War is running for the first time at Cheltenham this week – but unfortunately I won’t be there to see it.

After winning The Open last year I wanted to do something for my friends back home, so me and a few of the lads decided to buy a racehorse together.

It’s run a few times so far, and having started well it then fell a few times. But he rediscovered his form at the end of last year, and had a great run at Leopardstown over Christmas which qualified him for Cheltenham.

We’re all dead excited. I’m disappointed I can’t go, but my brother and one of my mates are heading over.

Instead, I’m out in Florida where it’s about 30 degrees, so I can’t complain. It’s good for practice, and my wife loves it, but unfortunately there’s absolutely no buzz for Cheltenham out here!

I’ve got a dodgy box with me, so I’ll have it hooked up in my hotel room and be able to watch it from afar. We’ll have a few bets in the morning and keep an eye on it on my phone throughout the day.

READ MORE: Ruby Walsh reveals what jockeys say to each other during races

I won’t be keeping up with Cheltenham when I’m playing my rounds in The Players Championship on Thursday and Friday – but I’ll certainly be paying attention during my practice rounds earlier in the week.

I’ll play a few holes with Graeme McDowell – he likes a bet too – and we’ll have a chat about what horses to get on on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It’s a good job Theatre of War’s race is on Wednesday so I can watch it on my phone. If it was on Thursday it might interrupt my round!

RECOMMENDED READS:

• Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Festival Cheat Sheet
• Frank Hickey’s 3 horses he fancies who are well handicapped
• Frank Hickey is taking on these 4 favourites at the Festival