Elite aim for Irving
Last Updated: 30/09/14 11:36am
Irving is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on November 8.
Paul Nicholls' charge was unbeaten in his first four starts over timber last term, with runaway victories in the Kennel Gate at Ascot and the Dovecote at Kempton meaning he was sent off joint-favourite for the curtain-raising Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The six-year-old failed to run up to expectations at Prestbury Park, finishing a disappointing ninth, but connections still harbour dreams of a potential Champion Hurdle bid next March.
Dan Downie, racing manager for owners Axom, said: "As far as I know the plan is to start Irving off in the Elite Hurdle on November 8. There is a race at Down Royal the week before, but I think the Elite is the number one option at this stage.
"Before Cheltenham we were hopeful he could be top-class in two-mile hurdle races and having returned coughing and with his blood not being quite right, I think we can forgive him that.
"At this stage his season will be tailored around the Champion Hurdle until it becomes obvious that isn't going to happen. That has to be the target as we speak."
Irving is just one of a number of talented performers Downie is excited about for the successful syndicate ahead of the new campaign.
Talented hurdlers Far West and Vibrato Valtat are set to embark on careers over fences in the coming weeks, while Emma Lavelle's Shotgun Paddy, winner of last season's Classic Chase at Warwick before a narrow reverse in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, is set to revert to smaller obstacles on his return.
"Far West and Vibrato Valtat will both be going novice chasing and will probably be out towards the end of October," said Downie.
"Shotgun Paddy is probably going to start off at Wetherby. He could run in the Charlie Hall, but I think it's more likely he'll run in the big three-mile hurdle on the same day.
"After that he'll probably be aimed towards the Welsh National."