Betfair date for Cheltenian
Cheltenian will go in search of more big-race glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 8.
Last Updated: 22/01/14 2:11pm
Philip Hobbs' eight-year-old looked to have the world at his feet when running out a five-length winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2011.
However, he picked up an injury in that race and was not sighted again until February last year when narrowly beaten at Doncaster.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle proved too much a month later, but he was an easy winner at Uttoxeter last month and will run in the valuable handicap off an attractive-looking mark of 134.
"I believe the Betfair Hurdle is the plan," said owner Roger Brookhouse.
"Running him in the Supreme was a mistake and it was my fault, we should have just gone for another little novice somewhere and then put him away for this season.
"As it happens, he was still a novice for this season.
"He just had a little niggle after the Champion Bumper and they can be worse than when you properly do a tendon. I doubt there's a horse in England who has been scanned as much as him.
"He'll be going chasing next season."