IT'S one of the most famous occasions in the horse racing calendar - and once again Pembrokeshire race lovers will have a vested interest in the Cheltenham Festival after Tobefair qualified for the second successive year.

On March 15th the eight-year-old gelding, trained by Paul and Debbie Hamer and owned by the 'Down the Quay' syndicate that’s based at the Cresselly Arms pub, will enter the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle having finished 22nd with jockey Trevor Whelan aboard in 2017.

Needing a top six finish in his series qualifier at Warwick on Saturday, Tobefair spent much of the race at the back of the field, before finishing strongly to surge into third place.

Although a key member of the syndicate, Michael Cole, was unable to travel, 11 members were in Warwick to support horse and jockey, and again were popular with the ITV television crew who featured their story pre-race.

"All we wanted was for him to get round safe with the hope he was at full fitness," said Tim Parry.

"But although had the race been longer he may have won it - third was a super outcome and we were all delighted because he deserves another go at Cheltenham."

Complex handicap rulings meant Tobefair had to race at Newbury prior to Cheltenham last year, but this time around the Hamer's have the option of resting him between now and the festival.

"The whole occasion with 65 thousand people and being hounded by TV cameras no doubt affected him last year," admitted Parry.

"And while we wouldn't have swapped his wonderful run at Newbury for anthing it did leave him tired pre-Cheltenham.

"But we will speak with Paul and Debbie and see what their plans are for him in the build up."

Parry also praised the effort of jockey Whelan, who he said deserved more top rides given his quality.