PROMINENT Stourbridge racehorse owners Grahame and Diana Whateley say that popular chaser Wishfull Thinking carries their best chance of a winner at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Their focus is likely to lie solely on the 12-year-old in the Ryanair Chase after confirming that stablemate Menorah could be aimed at other targets later in the season.

The couple, from Belbroughton, admit their team of horses heading to the famous Gloucestershire course is not as strong as in previous years, but still harbour hopes of a week to remember.

Leading their charge for glory at the annual extravaganza of jump racing, which begins on Tuesday, March 10 and runs for four days, will be 20/1 shot Wishfull Thinking.

The chestnut gelding, trained in Minehead by Philip Hobbs, will carry their famous two-tone blue colours in Thursday's 2m 5f contest.

He is also set to be partnered by jockey Richard Johnson due to Menorah's likely defection.

Graham Whateley, chairman of the Halesowen-based firm Cedar Group, said: "Wishfull Thinking is an older horse now but would have to have a chance if he can return to his early-season form. If he was close coming to the last fence then he'd be staying on as well as anything.

"He would probably be our best chance of a winner because we don't go there with as many horses as we'd like this year. The main reason for that is because we have a lot of younger horses that require time. We have a lot of nice horses but we are having to be patient with them.

"Menorah seems better a little later in the year and will probably go to Aintree instead."

Amongst their younger horses set to by-pass Cheltenham are Rock The Kasbah, Royal Player, Risk A Fine and Mountain King.

Bumper performer Wishfull Dreaming, brother to Wishfull Thinking, has now been put away for the summer in preparation for next season.

However, the Whateley's could be represented in the Champion Bumper by Jetstream Jack, who is trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott.

He won his first and only race under rules at Fairyhouse in January.

Another horse set to make the trip to Prestbury Park is six-year-old hurdler Garde La Victoire.

He has had a pleasing campaign after finishing down the field in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 2014's Festival.

Victory in the Greatwood Hurdle in November and a win at Sandown last month have sandwiched reasonable efforts at Ascot.

He will now be aimed at one of the Festival's handicap hurdle races according to Whateley.

He said: "He will probably go for a handicap at Cheltenham now. His rating is well short of that needed to go for the Champions Hurdle.

"He may have to carry a big weight but we think he is capable of that. Either way, he will make a really nice chaser for next season."

Another hope comes in the form of 3m chaser Sausalito Sunrise.

He has an entry in the RSA Chase on Wednesday's card but may also take a chance in a handicap.

"We have been quite pleased with him but he would be up against a very good sort in the form of Kings Palace," he added.

"You can't be scared of one or two horses though and we would go there with a chance. Sometimes horse can surprise you."