Monday 22 December 2014 12:15, UK
Paul Nicholls will keep his options open for impressive novice chaser Ptit Zig, with the trainer believing his charge may well be better on a right-handed track.
The five-year-old took his record to three from three over fences with a stylish display at Ascot on Friday to beat last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Josses HIll by nine lengths.
A day later Nicholls won with an other smart prospect, Irish Saint, and while both are likely to have Festival entries, Nicholls will also consider other opportunities.
"I was delighted with the way Ptit Zig and Irish Saint won at Ascot," said the champion trainer on his website.
"Both could be in the mix for the Cheltenham, though we will look at other options for them including Aintree. The Festival is not the sole focus for smart horses like these. There are plenty of good races for them and others before and after Cheltenham, so we don't have to fire all our bullets there.
"I have a feeling that Ptit Zig might always be marginally better right handed, while Irish Saint showed on Saturday he is a stayer who needs a trip."
