TWENTY-FIVE runners with Dorset connections will line up for the 2015 edition of the Cheltenham Festival, starting today.

This figure is a new milestone, reflecting the upward fortunes of Dorset-based trainers Colin Tizzard and Harry Fry.

But both yards will enter jump racing’s top event with mixed emotions in the wake of recent and unexpected withdrawals that have struck out their stable flag-bearers Cue Card and Rock on Ruby.

Joe Tizzard, who has stepped down from riding duties since last season’s festival, claimed stable-star Cue Card was “as good as ever” before being struck down.

The downturn in equine health was a blow for all concerned, Cue Card has a breathing problem that should improve in time for a tilt at Aintree’s Melling Chase in April, whereas Rock on Ruby is on a course of antibiotics after a poor gallop.

Both stables are characteristically upbeat however.

Ahead of the Festival, Seaborough handler Fry told Echosport: “We’re going in with our biggest team yet. Every runner we send out we have the mentality that we want to win, whether that be at Taunton yesterday or at Cheltenham throughout the Festival.”

Joe Tizzard was equally confident, he added: “Of our recent festival winners, three of the four were 40/1 plus so we tell our owners we’ve got to go.”