Trainer Alex Hales is set to run the progressive Huntsman Son in the £27,500 Steel Plate and Sections Handicap Hurdle (4.10pm 16 entries) at Cheltenham this Saturday, Festival Trials Day, January 27.
The lightly-raced eight-year-old, allotted 11st for the extended two-mile contest, has recorded two victories from five career starts under Rules and registered back-to-back victories at Market Rasen and Doncaster in December.
The son of Millenary will have the services of one of the finest young talents in the weighing room on Saturday, 16-year-old James Bowen.
Oxfordshire-based Hales said today: “Huntsman Son has come out of the Newbury race [December 30, 4th, beaten eight and a half-lengths] fine and we’re looking forward to Saturday.
“At Newbury, I thought he probably didn’t stay the two and a half miles on that ground and we think it’s worth dropping back in trip on slightly better ground on Saturday.
“I thought he ran well at Newbury in what looks to have been a fair race. We’re hoping that the trip will suit.
“James [Bowen, jockey] is obviously the kid of the moment and it’s great to have him on board again [Bowen has partnered Huntsman Son in his last two races]. When they are riding high like James is, it’s great to be able to use him.
“The horse is very well and this looks a nice opportunity for him. He had a few problems earlier in his career. He had a leg injury after his Worcester run [in June, 2016), so that’s why he had to have a year off, but this year he has been very uncomplicated.
“The horses all seem to be running well at the moment, so it’s nice to have the stable in good form and long may it last.
“We’ll look forward to Saturday and then probably decide as to whether he goes for a race at The Festival after that. We won’t jump the gun on any future plans.”
Potential opposition includes 2017 G1 JCB Triumph Hurdle sixth and top-weight Charli Parcs (Nicky Henderson 11st 12lb), Remiluc (Chris Gordon, 11st 6lb), a creditable second over course and distance at Cheltenham in December and the mare Brillare Momento (Martin Keighley 11st 2lb), a one and a half-length winner at Cheltenham in October.
Other potential starters include Our Merlin (Robert Walford 10st 8lb), who has registered three victories in his last four outings, Magic Dancer (Kerry Lee 10st 5lb), a five length winner at Cheltenham over course and distance at the November Meeting and Litterale Ci (Harry Fry 10st 3lb), a four length winner at Ludlow on December 20.