Graeme McPherson will take Ask Ben to Haydock’s Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle to test his Cheltenham Festival prospects. The six-year-old produced a surprise debut win under Rules in The French Furze Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle and then followed it up with success at Ayr on Sunday.
As a result McPherson is targeting the Albert Bartlett in just under four weeks’ time on February as his next outing with one eye on pitching him into a race at Prestbury Park the following month, especially if the ground is suitable. “I think we’ve got a smart prospect on our hands,” said the Gloucestershire handler. “Ask Ben will definitely get an Albert Bartlett entry. “Ever since he won at Newcastle it has been at the back of my mind. “We went all the way to Ayr to try him over three miles, as there aren’t too many novice hurdles over that distance. “He’s a relentless galloper and very professional. “He perhaps didn’t get the credit he deserves for beating Beakstown (at Newcastle on December 1, subsequent Grade Two winner) as his team thought he had underperformed. “The type of horse he is and his jumping should help him turn into an exciting chaser in the future. “As long as everything goes to plan he’ll run at Haydock next.”
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