Wednesday 1 April 2015 21:10, UK
Charlie Longsdon feels the lack of an extra gear was the reason for Kilcooley tasting defeat in France on Sunday.
The six-year-old, winner of the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in February, finished seventh in the Grade Three Prix Hypothese at Auteuil, despite having led for much of the two-mile-three-furlong contest.
Longsdon said: "I thought turning for home he had them all on the stretch, but they sprinted off the home turn, whereas he just kept galloping at the same pace.
"He was up against some of the best horses in France and he has run his usual race.
"James Reveley said maybe he could have gone quicker. Over that trip he was not quite in that grade.
"I would certainly love to go back to France again as Auteuil was a fantastic place and we would be a bit more streetwise.
"If there was a two-mile-six-furlong or three-mile race I would go back with him as the opposition would not have that same speed."
With Kilcooley having already had seven runs this season, the Chipping Norton-based handler stressed that it may be it for the current campaign.
Longsdon said: "He has had a busy campaign and he takes his racing hard.
"He had a long trip to and from France and if he did run it would be in five or six weeks' time, but there is not much about then.
"We will see how he is in the next 10 days, but that could well be it for the season."
Looking ahead to next year, Longsdon has yet to sure up any firm plans as to what route Kilcooley will take.
He said: "Off his mark of 161 he could be stepped up to three miles and run in a conditions hurdle race to see what he does, as he might turn out to be a World Hurdle-type horse.
"If that does not go to plan he could go novice chasing, as he jumped beautifully over the French-style hurdles which shows he will make a nice novice chaser in time.
"It is good to have those options."
