DURSLEY-BASED racehorse owner Terry Warner believes Oiseau De Nuit’s victory on his previous outing at Cheltenham gives him a good chance of Festival glory tomorrow.

The Colin Tizzard trained horse will race in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup at 5.15pm in the final race of the Cheltenham Festival.

Oiseau De Nuit won by two and a half lengths in the Nicholson Holman Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Prestbury Racecourse last April and has been in good form ever since.

The French eight-year-old came fourth at Chepstow in December before coming second at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He then won Toteswinger Handicap Chase at Ffos Las in January before another second place finish at Doncaster last month.

Warner, who has tasted glory at the Festival before with Rooster Booster in the Challenge Trophy in 2003 and Detroit City in the Triumph Hurdle in 2006, believes that improvement makes his horse a good each-way bet, especially if the ground is soft.

He said: “The race is often won by previous Cheltenham winners looking at the stats so that should be a big help. He’s got a good chance of being in the top three.

“He’s improved this year and improved on every run. It will be interesting.”

Warner is also the co-owner of Mahonia, who will be running in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at 4.40pm tomorrow.

The Paul Nicholls trained horse finished second in his last race at Kempton in January but his best finish in 2009 was seventh and Warner is not confident about the chances at Cheltenham.

“He’s been a bit disappointing this year,” said Warner.

“We thought that he would do better than what he has but he’s had a long break.”

“He would have to improve, I won’t be too excited.”

For the showpiece race, Warner expects the Gold Cup race to surpass last year’s as Kauto Star and Denman do battle again.

He said: “It will be more exciting than ever, having them both in it is a tremendous thing and a great public spectacle.”

“It will be a race to watch and savour, not a betting proposition.

“One of the first two will win it. Looking at the stats, ten-year-olds have poor records in it and Kauto is ten now but he is an exceptional horse.

“They are the two that really matter and I can’t see anything else. Imperial Commander might have a squeak because he almost beat Kauto at Haydock.”

Exclusive interview with champion trainer Paul Nicholls in today's Gazette newspaper.