Charlie Longsdon is looking forward to stepping Coologue up to three miles in the bet365 December Novices' Chase at Doncaster today.
Charlie Longsdon is looking forward to stepping Coologue up to three miles in the bet365 December Novices' Chase at Doncaster today.
The Oxfordshire trainer opted to take the six-year-old up to South Yorkshire rather than run him in the Raymond Mould Memorial Novices' Chase over two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham.
Coologue was a staying-on third to Wings Attract over an two extended two miles and three furlongs on this course two weeks ago, after making a winning debut over fences at Bangor in October.
"He had the option of Doncaster or Cheltenham, but that looked a lot stronger. This is the right race for him," said Longsdon.
"It's a big step up in trip to three miles, but we think he needs it and we're looking forward to seeing him run.
"It will very much define where we head with him afterwards. If he gets three miles he'll go for some decent handicaps.
"He's weighed to be there or thereabouts so let's hope he is."
Neil Mulholland reports Southfield Royale to be ready to return to the fray after slamming Zeroeshadesofgrey by 20 lengths at Wetherby six weeks ago.
"He's done well, he's in good order and the ground will be fine. He's going the right way," said Mulholland.
This is one of two Grade Two events on the card along with the bet365 Summit Hurdle.
Jim Goldie was delighted with Sir Chauvelin's first attempt over jumps when the three-year-old Flat winner got off the mark at Musselburgh five weeks ago.
The Glasgow trainer is now happy to let Sir Chauvelin have a crack at this good prize.
"He's in good order. He won well last time, jumped really well and I was delighted with him," said Goldie.
"It's a step up in class but we're hoping he's good enough. He's certainly done well since the race, we're happy with him and we're hoping for a big run."
Who Dares Wins was victorious three times on the Flat when trained by Richard Hannon and made a successful debut over jumps for Alan King at Ludlow a month ago.
"He was progressive on the Flat for the Hannons and is looking a decent juvenile hurdler, having won well first time out over jumps for me at Ludlow," the Barbury Castle trainer told his website.
"He'll have learned plenty from that and is another we like."