Tag Archive for: Cheltenham Festival

Hullnback aiming for Aintree honours

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Fergal O’Brien believes top novice hurdler Hullnback would struggle to handle the hustle and bustle of the Cheltenham Festival.

Connections of the six-year-old have therefore decided to bypass the meeting in favour of a return to Aintree, the scene of his runner-up effort in a Grade Two bumper at the Grand National meeting last April.

Hullnback has looked a smart hurdling prospect in each of his three attempts this term, finishing runner-up to Pikar at Chepstow in October and twice winning subsequently.

His defeat of Nemean Lion at Haydock the following month was franked when Kerry Lee’s runner was placed in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle, and having justified odds of 2-5 at Warwick with ease off a 73-day break last time, O’Brien feels the potential must be nurtured.

“We just feel that Cheltenham would absolutely blow his mind,” said the in-form Withington handler.

“He’s a lovely young horse. He had good form round Aintree last year and he ran well the other day.

“As far as we are concerned, he has his whole career ahead of him, but mentally he is not ready for Cheltenham.”

O’Brien looks set to pit his charge against top-class opposition at Aintree, planning to give him entries in both the Top Novices’ Hurdle and the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

He added: “The plan is to go to Aintree. He’ll be put in the two and two-and-a-half-miler. Paddy (Brennan, jockey) and the boys are favouring the two-miler. We’ll enter him in both and see which one he’d have his best chance in.

Hullnback (middle) finished behind Lookaway at Aintree
Hullnback (middle) finished behind Lookaway at Aintree (David Davies/PA)

“We just felt that, all things being equal, there were more negatives than positives to go to Cheltenham.

“He’s young and he’s so very raw it’s not true. I would love to go to Cheltenham and both his owners wanted to go to Cheltenham, but in fairness they left it to myself and Paddy.

“We just felt, to give the horse the best chance going forward, Aintree was better for him.

“We know what we’ve got. When he gets on a lorry and gets to the track, he just turns into a thug.

“We thought Cheltenham in March would be like a cauldron for him to boil over. He could have run his race by the time he got to the bottom of the chute.

“Aintree is shorter walk from the parade ring to the track and he knows it, as he’s been there last year.

“If you saw him at home, you’d think he was a little pet. He loves attention, but he definitely has a bite to him.”

Ballyburn helps Mullins tighten grip on Champion Bumper

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Willie Mullins strengthened his grasp on the Weatherbys Champion Bumper when Ballyburn powered home to land the Hospitality At Festival 2023 (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Punchestown.

An impressive winner of his sole point-to-point, he was sent off the 7-4 second-favourite behind Irish Panther in the hands of Patrick Mullins for his rules bow.

Keen throughout when tracking the pace-setting Quantum Storm, the son of Flemensfirth took some time to hit top gear once entering the straight, but had the after-burners switched firmly on at the finish in registering a going-away two-and-a-quarter-length success.

The winner was cut to 7-1 from 14s for the Cheltenham Festival bumper by Paddy Power, which means the Closutton handler is now responsible for five of the top six in the market for the Prestbury Park Grade One he won 12 months ago with Facile Vega.

“It was a very good performance from the horse and jockey. He was too keen the whole way and to produce a run like that after running so keen for a mile and three-quarters showed that he has a lot left in the locker,” said Mullins.

“He’s a horse that we’re really looking forward to going over jumps. He looks a real chaser in the making, however he probably booked a ticket to Cheltenham with that run.

“He looks an exciting recruit for Ronnie Bartlett and David Manasseh, who is a football agent.

“It looked a fair race, in very tough ground.”

Mullins was also on the scoresheet when the Danny Mullins-ridden Hauturiere (5-1) took advantage of favourite Harmonya Maker unseating Jordan Gainford to claim the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle

Hauturiere returns after winning the Listed Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle
Hauturiere returns after winning the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle (PA)

“It was another fine tactical ride by Danny, I thought,” said Mullins.

“They went off very fast and anything that was up there early on couldn’t stay the pace. It took a lot of getting at that pace and she’s shown us that she’s a stayer.

“She was very keen early on in her career, but now she’s learning how to settle and race.

“She might get an entry in a handicap at Cheltenham or maybe wait for Fairyhouse. We’ll see what sort of rating she gets.

“You could look at the Martin Pipe or Coral Cup.”

Stealthy Tom enhanced Enda Bolger’s fine record in the ARKequine Aquatabs Inline P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

Stealthy Tom after winning at Punchestown
Stealthy Tom after winning at Punchestown (PA)

The Howardstown handler has won seven of the last 10 running’s of the this contest with the last four victories all on behalf of leading owner JP McManus.

And it was the green and gold silks that were carried to success once again by Simon Torrens as he came home a length and a quarter clear of 7-2 favourite Singing Banjos aboard the 8-1 shot.

“He ran a lovely race here in the spring. I was giving the other two a better chance because he hadn’t run since last August in Killarney,” said Bolger.

“He got a lovely ride from Simon and he was nice and patient on him. He’s only seven so he’s going to be a nice horse for this game for the future.

“I was happy I had him in today because the other two boys underperformed. He’s found his niche so we’ll stick with these with him.”

A trip to the cross-country equivalent at the Cheltenham Festival is not out of the question for the winner, but it appears that all roads lead back to Kildare track for the La Touche Cup during the Punchestown Festival.

“We’ll see, I’ll talk to the boss and see what they want to do – whether the experience would do him good,” added Bolger.

“Definitely all roads will lead to the La Touche with him and he would go on nicer ground as well which is a plus for the spring meeting.

“Cheltenham is a pretty hot race and we have to see where Galvin is going to appear as well. We’re only rated 105 but he excels over those.

“He hadn’t run for a while so we’ll see how he comes out of this and make a decision. The entries don’t close for a couple of weeks anyway. He’d be the only one for it.”

Torrens was also aboard Patrick Foley’s Verdant Place (5-2 favourite) when winning the David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Handicap Hurdle.

Postmark stamps likely Boodles ticket in Newbury victory

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Milton Harris will give Postmark one more run before a crack at the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, after a cosy victory at Newbury on Sunday.

The four-year-old, who is part-owned by former West Ham and Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp, was a useful handicapper on the Flat – including winning in the Racing League under Frankie Dettori – yet was a little disappointing on his hurdling bow when seventh of nine at Kempton over Christmas.

However, Mitch Bastyan’s mount proved a different proposition on his second attempt, drawing away after the last in the Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Maiden Hurdle to beat three rivals by five and a half lengths and upwards, the good to firm ground putting him in a better light.

Speaking from St Moritz, Harris said of his 11-8 favourite: “He is a nice horse and I expected him to win today. He just didn’t like that ground last time at Kempton.

“I know the race cut up a bit, but the second horse (Up For Appeal) might be a nice horse.

“He is only a four-year-old. We just might look at giving him another quick run and consider then going for the Boodles. We have to have three runs before going there. I think he is a nice horse.”

Few horses in training are as consistent as Mortlach and he rewarded owners Richard Hames and Doug Pocock with a seventh success since April last year, taking the Stewart Wright Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase by four and three-quarter lengths under Paddy Brennan.

The 11-10 favourite had finished runner-up on four occasions – including in the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton – and was third in both the John Francome and the Kauto Star, since last scoring at Kelso in October.

Fergal O’Brien is not ruling Mortlach out of the Cheltenham Festival
Fergal O’Brien is not ruling Mortlach out of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies/PA)

Trainer Fergal O’Brien feels there is still an outside possibility the eight-year-old will line up in either the Sporting Life Arkle Trophy or the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

He said: “I’m just delighted for Mortlach. He has been a good servant.

“When he runs in these big races, like he did at Christmas, he’s always trying his best and if Paddy feels he can’t win, then he kind of looks after him.

“He’s been so consistent – he turns up every week and he’s had plenty of races and he’s done us proud.

“He loves racing and he’s very straightforward. He spends most of his time in his field, eating what little grass is there.

“We might probably head to Kempton next Saturday with him. Two miles is probably short for him, so we’ll see him better over two and a half.

“You’d be a brave man to presume he won’t go to Cheltenham, especially where Paddy is concerned.

“Last year the Turners cut up and you just never say never. That’s why he has got those entries. You just don’t know who will turn up. We are having such a dry spell, you just never know.”

Favourite-backers were also on cloud nine when Cloud Dancer justified his 6-4 odds in taking the Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle under Niall Houlihan.

The Gary Moore-trained runner, making his hurdling debut, stayed on well after the last in the extended two-mile heat to score by five and a half lengths.

Flying Nun (7-2 favourite) put two lacklustre runs at Hereford behind her to plunder the three-mile Byerley Stud Mares’ Handicap Hurdle for Emma Lavelle, while there was a walkover for Dalamoi in the novices’ Limited Handicap Chase when sole rival Quick Draw was withdrawn because of the quick ground.

Family Business (9-4) was far from fluent on the first circuit of the Kevin & Karen Waller’s 60th Birthday Handicap Chase, yet warmed to the task when pulled out down the back straight by Gavin Sheehan.

The Richard Hobson-trained six-year-old soon had his two opponents in trouble turning for home and went on to score by eight lengths.

Loughderg Rocco absence is blow for Laura Morgan

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Promising chaser Loughderg Rocco has been ruled for the rest of the season through injury.

The son of Shirocco overturned the odds-on Unexpected Party, who was third in Grade One company behind Arkle favourite Jonbon previously, at Leicester in December.

But any plans of a return to Cheltenham, where he was fifth in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle behind Blazing Khal in December 2021, have had to be scrapped by trainer Laura Morgan.

The seven-year-old, owned by the Newark Castle Partnership, was as short as 10-1 for next month’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival.

“He won’t be going as he has picked up a little injury unfortunately. It is a bit disappointing for us,” said Morgan.

“He won well at Leicester, but we will have to give him a bit of time now. Unfortunately, it is just one of those things.

“It is nothing major, but we wouldn’t want to rush him.

“He will probably have a break now and have the summer off. He is too nice to go and wreck him, so you are best to err on the side of caution.”

Unbeaten chaser Notlongtillmay could still provide the yard with a presence at the meeting.

The Alan Rogers-owned gelding has won all three starts over fences including two impressive victories at Musselburgh on his last two starts.

Morgan is still pondering options for the seven-year-old, who is a general 33-1 chance for the Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase and 16-1 for the Grand Annual.

Morgan added: “Notlongtillmay might possibly run in the Grand Annual, but there wouldn’t be much else. Loughderg Rocco’s injury is a bit of a gutter, but it is what it is.”

Meanwhile, Percussion, who has twice been placed over the unique Grand National fences, is being primed for another trip to Aintree.

Third in the respective Grand Sefton and Becher Chases in November and December, Percussion was then fifth to Annsam in a three-mile Kempton handicap.

Morgan hopes the Evan-Robert Hanbury-owned eight-year-old can lift his official rating next time, with a return to the Liverpool track in mind.

“We are hoping that Percussion is placed or might win one, so his mark will go up slightly and then he might go for the Topham,” she added.

“The owners are quite keen to go to Aintree. He should be out in the next two weeks.”

Eldorado Allen will go for Cheltenham gold, with line put through Newbury

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Eldorado Allen remains on course for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup despite finishing a modest fifth to Zanza when bidding for back-to-back Denman Chase successes at Newbury.

The well-supported nine-year-old disputed the lead before being headed four out in a race was run in a time over 13 seconds quicker than standard.

Owned by John Romans and Terry Warner, Eldorado Allen has won four of his 16 starts over fences and was a creditable third to Allaho in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham following his victory in the Denman Chase last season.

Trainer Joe Tizzard is keen to return to Prestbury Park next month for the blue riband event, although admitted Eldorado Allen, who is a general 66-1 chance, would be vying for minor honours.

“There was a bit of disappointment, but as it turned out they went too quick,” said Tizzard of his latest effort under Brendan Powell.

“The front three horses took each other on and blew themselves out. It was a very fast time and it suited hold-up horses.

“In hindsight, we should have just settled in behind the front two, but those were not the tactics going out there, so I think you can just put a line through that run.

“John and Terry are still keen to run in a Gold Cup, so we’ll take our chance and he might run into a place at best.”

Meanwhile, Elixir De Nutz, who finished a creditable runner-up to Funambule Sivola in the Game Spirit Chase on the same card, looks set to go back up in trip.

Owned by Warner, the nine-year-old has proved ultra consistent, winning three of his 11 starts over fences and finishing runner-up on another four occasions.

Elixir De Nutz will have an entry in the Grand Annual Chase
Elixir De Nutz will have an entry in the Grand Annual Chase (John Walton/PA)

Though he stayed on well after finding the pace a little quick in the extended two-mile Grade Two event, Tizzard feels he will be better with added distance.

“Unless it is a bit soft, two and a half miles will be his thing now,” said the Dorset handler.

“It was a lovely run. The handicapper was sensible and put him up about 2lb.

“We’ll enter him in the Grand Annual and the two-and-a-half-miler (the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase, over two miles and five furlongs).

“If the ground went soft, he might stay at two (for the Grand Annual), but two and a half is ideal for him.”

Shishkin ‘100 per cent’ after Ascot – with Ryanair Chase still favoured next

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Nicky Henderson has all but ruled Shishkin out of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, remaining in favour of the shorter trip of the Ryanair Chase for his rejuvenated superstar.

The Seven Barrows trainer was an emotional onlooker as any doubts about the nine-year-old’s return to prominence were dispelled with a tremendous display in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, where he was trying two miles and five furlongs for the first time under rules.

The Joe Donnelly-owned gelding downed Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at the same track last term but subsequently disappointed in both the Champion Chase and this season’s Tingle Creek.

However, a couple of physical problems had come to light, being diagnosed with a rare bone condition in the wake of the Champion Chase and then a “flipped palate” delaying his move up in distance after the Tingle Creek.

Shishkin in full flight
Shishkin in full flight (Steven Paston/PA)

Yet, just as he had done with Sprinter Sacre six years ago, Henderson brought Shishkin back from the brink and the sheer joy the handler exuded after his 16-length defeat of Pic D’Orhy said it all.

Though Shishkin was cut to as short as 8-1 for the Gold Cup by Paddy Power, Henderson feels the extended two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair Chase on March 16, for which he is 11-10 favourite with the same firm, is the only option.

“I can’t think we’re not going to go for the Ryanair, but there is no way of finding out,” said Henderson.

“The way I would see it, in the perfect, perfect world – and with horses it is not easy to go very far, about 24 hours is about as far as you dare look ahead – but in the perfect world, you’d go Ryanair, then three miles at Aintree.

“Then that will tell us what to do next year. It would tell you whether to go to the Betfair Chase or King George VI Chase, or stay at two and a half (miles). At two and a half, you are a bit limited.”

Though last season’s runaway Ryanair Chase winner Allaho will miss the race with an abdominal bleed, Henderson said his absence has not swayed any decision to bypass the Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

He added: “The Ryanair is still a very high-class race and it is not to be sniffed at.

“He’s certainly not going to come back to two (miles), so I can’t believe we need to go to three and a quarter.

“Going up in trip trip made an enormous difference. It was as simple as that. Maybe he would stay three and a quarter, but you have got the Ryanair available to you.

“One is aware Allaho is not there, but we won’t go there because of that. I would have thought we would still have gone that route even if he was there. It is the obvious thing to do.

“We’re delighted with him and he’s absolutely 100 per cent this morning.”

A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin
A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

Meanwhile, Henderson was left ruing the ground conditions at Newbury on Sunday, withdrawing Quick Draw and Boom Boom.

Both were favourites for their respective races, with the former leaving Dalamol to walk over in the opening Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Henderson added: “We are struggling a bit today, I must admit. This ground at Newbury has got so firm, we can’t run.

“We took one out in the first race, which left a walkover. I can’t risk it. I hate doing it, because it is no good for anybody, but the horse comes first.”

Coral Cup an option for back-to-form Beacon Edge

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Noel Meade could bypass the Stayers’ Hurdle with Beacon Edge in favour of a tilt at the Coral Cup, as he ramps up plans for the Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old showed plenty of his former sparkle when third to last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Blazing Khal at Navan last week.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner of the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle two years ago, Beacon Edge appeared to have lost his way after landing the Grade One Drimnore Novice Chase at Leopardstown 15 months ago.

However, he has shown a renewed zest since a return to the smaller obstacles and his County Meath handler is keeping him in the Stayers’ Hurdle, for which is is a general 50-1 chance.

Meade said: “He’s in the Stayers’ Hurdle, but I think, depending on what way the English handicapper handicaps him, there is quite a possibility he will run in the Coral Cup.

“He has been in good shape since Navan.

“He didn’t like jumping fences and he kind of lost his way, because he was worried about them. It has taken a race or two to just get him back over hurdles.

“We’ll leave him in both races and see what weight he gets. He is better on better ground than he is on very heavy ground. Good ground would suit him well.”

Flanking Maneuver also finished placed on the same Navan card, finishing just a length and a quarter behind Churchstonewarrior in the Grade Two Ten Up Novice Chase.

It was his first try over fences and his first run since finishing fourth to Bob Olinger in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Navan two years ago.

Flanking Maneuver made a promising comeback after 760 days off the track
Flanking Maneuver made a promising comeback after 760 days off the track (Niall Carson/PA)

“He did a tendon in that Grade One at Naas, when he was running a nice race. He is a nice horse,” said Meade.

“I don’t rightly know where he is going to go next. I would assume that we will probably keep him to good races.

“That is what we are probably thinking and if he wins one, he wins one – and if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.

“He’ll still be a novice next season, but he is eight years of age, so time has passed on him.

“But that is probably what we will do, I’d imagine. ”

Asked if he will run again this season, Meade was positive. He added: “I haven’t actually discussed it with Eddie (O’Leary, Gigginstown House Stud’s racing manager) since, so I don’t know exactly what he is thinking, but that is what I am thinking about, anyway.”

Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Blazing Khal suffers minor setback

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Charles Byrnes’ Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Blazing Khal has suffered a minor setback ahead of his Cheltenham Festival target.

The seven-year-old returned from a 428-day injury-enforced absence to land the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle at Navan a week ago, a performance that catapulted him to the head of the Stayers’ Hurdle market.

Byrnes reports Blazing Khal has “a few bits of nicks” that require treatment following that run, but is hopeful the issue will not take long to resolve.

Blazing Khal has suffered a minor setback
Blazing Khal has suffered a minor setback (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said: “Blazing Khal had a few bits of nicks and we had him at the beach.

“It happened to the back of a fetlock and we had to put him on antibiotics, having thought he’d be OK without it.

“These things normally clear up after five or six days and we hope by next week to have him on course.

“It is not ideal but we’ve had worse setbacks!”

Shishkin renaissance delights master trainer Henderson

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Wise old heads used to whisper “they never come back” when a horse had seemingly lost its way, but Nicky Henderson is waging a one-man mission to consign the phrase to the history books as Shishkin became the latest Seven Barrows inmate to return to the top.

Henderson’s exploits with Sprinter Sacre are legendary. The pre-eminent two-mile chaser of his era lost his way through injuries and ailments only to come back and win a second Champion Chase.

Things had not fallen off quite so much for Shishkin, we must not forget just over a year ago he beat Energumene in the Clarence House Chase in a battle hailed as the race of the season.

However, he was pulled up early in the Champion Chase, it later transpired he was suffering with a rare bone condition, and on his return in the Tingle Creek he was a one-paced third, after which he had a wind operation.

Henderson was as confident as he could be that the ability still remained, but there is only one place to find out and that is on the racecourse.

Stepped up to two miles and five furlongs, against a couple of specialists at that trip in Pic D’Orhy and Fakir D’Oudairies, he was imperious, travelling smoothly throughout and bounding 16 lengths clear.

He is now as short as 11-10 favourite for the Ryanair next month.

“I think we’ve got the old Shishkin back, thank goodness,” said Henderson.

“It’s been a big effort from a lot of people and the Donnellys have been amazing. They were supposed to be here, Joe had a plane booked but for the wrong day, apparently. But I’ve just spoken to him in Switzerland and he’s delighted.

“He has always just said ‘do what you think is the right thing’ so we’ve changed a lot of things, but today was the crossroads to see if he still had a future at the top table.”

Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last
Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson went on: “He was a hero but we’ve seen it before where they fall off the top, but everybody has done their bit. The vets have been brilliant. He had his bone problem, then a wind issue but the most important thing was upping the trip.

“That was the one thing in my own mind I was confident about. In the Clarence House last year he was flat out the whole way and was beaten two out, he won that day because he stayed. After the Tingle Creek there was only one thing to do.

“By slowing the pace, he can then race on the bridle. He’s not a brilliant work horse so he’s hard to assess that way, I think he’ll improve for the run because he’s had a good blow – it’s been a while since the Tingle Creek.

“This was always the race, we’ve got it done and I can’t tell you what I relief it is. We’re very lucky to get these good horses and it’s very sad if they fall off the table. When it does go right, if you get them back, it is extra special.”

Of the chances of Shishkin taking up his Gold Cup entry, Henderson added: “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time so far!

“He’s not in the Champion Chase and he’s not coming into it, at least I can say he’s in the other two. I would have thought the most likely has got to be the Ryanair, it’s the sensible one.”

Nico De Boinville, who also played his part in Sprinter Sacre’s renaissance, said: “He felt a different horse. He was doing everything right at home and that wind op has definitely helped a whole load.

Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

“I said to the guv’nor we’d know our fate after the first two and so it proved.

“When you are dealing with horses like that, you have to believe in them. I felt from the way he was at home that he retained his ability, it was just a question of finding his way back and the guv’nor is a master at doing that with these horses.

“I think the Ryanair is the right race. Where else do you go after a race like that? You certainly don’t drop him back to two miles and you’d be very brave to step him up to three-two in the Gold Cup, so I think two-five in the Ryanair is about right for him.

“It was just hands and heels and he’ll come on for that run, I’ve no doubt.”

I Like To Move it claims Kingwell crown

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Nigel Twiston-Davies’ I Like To Move It was a facile victor of the Wincanton Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle.

The six-year-old, who was last seen finishing sixth in the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle, was one of a small field of four runners and sent off a 100-30 chance.

Partnered by the trainer’s son Sam, under whom the gelding won the Greatwood in November, I Like To Move it was ridden patiently throughout the one-mile-seven-furlong trip.

Turning for home he began to pull away, jumping the last in the lead and then accelerating away from Paul Nicholls’ Knappers Hill to score by an easy 17 lengths in the Grade Two.

Sam Twiston-Davies said: “It was an impressive performance.

“Dad and I were speaking on the way down. If you were to make a race for him, it would be the International Hurdle over a stiff two miles at Cheltenham but we have come today to one of the easiest two-mile tracks on good ground and he has looked as fast as ever. He’s an incredibly pacey horse at home and he showed that today.

“The two options at Cheltenham are the County Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle. God knows what he will be rated after today, so I think it’s only fair he goes and has a go at the Champion Hurdle.

“Obviously Constitution Hill is an aeroplane, but there is massive money on offer and he deserves to be there. To go and win is going to be incredibly tough, but it’s horseracing and you never know. He is still a young horse and we are lucky to have him.”

The winning handler felt dropping back in distance had proved crucial.

He said: “That was good, wasn’t it! Two and a half miles at Cheltenham last time was no good for him but brought back to two miles, we were certainly hopeful today.

“I know we can’t get anywhere near Constitution Hill, but we will give him something to think about (in the Champion Hurdle) and where else can we go after a performance like that?

“We were totally knackered by the International Hurdle being off, which he would have won with his head in his chest as you have seen today. But he is back again and Cheltenham here we come!

“He is right up there with the best hurdlers I have trained like The New One and Khyber Kim, who was second in the Champion Hurdle.”