Cheltenham Festival 2013: Denman's owner Paul Barber admits his horses are not good enough to send this year Perhaps having won the biggest and best race at the Festival more than once helps keep matters in perspective when a quiet year comes along. Really, there's no point in taking a horse there to finish 10th. It is a tough test and you have to have one equipped for the job. We don't have one this year," he explained. But Barber is hopeful that he will have runners at Aintree in April, and one likely member of the squad, Join Together, is set to run in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster tomorrow. This engagement is preferred to Newbury because of the ground and distance. "He wants good ground, or good to soft," said Barber, who owns Join Together in partnership with long-time friend Ian Fogg. One interesting factor is that the eight-year-old, who finished second to Hello Bud in the Becher Chase at Aintree in December, is to be ridden tomorrow by Ruby Walsh. Despite the array of top chances he can ride for Willie Mullins in the Grand National, Walsh will always keep an open mind until forced to declare a preference. A good performance from Join Together would see his price for the National cut from the current 16-1 offered by Betfred. Meanwhile, Barber, a farmer renowned for his personalised weather forecasting, tips rain to start falling on Thursday March 7. If you study the records, there is never a dry spell in this country that lasts more than 19 days. The 20th day is Thursday," he pointed out. Bill Whittle is to step down as chairman of Haydock Park in May. Whittle, who is soon to turn 70, took over from his late father, after whom the Tommy Whittle Chase is named. His successor is Lord Daresbury, who will also continue as head of Aintree.