News O O Seven has licence to thrill at Musselburgh

O O Seven has licence to thrill at Musselburgh

racing

Nicky Henderson is inclined to aim O O Seven at the Neptune at Cheltenham after a hard-fought victory in the Albert Bartlett Scottish Trial at Musselburgh.

The Seven Barrows trainer stepped the six-year-old up in distance by a mile after his fine run in the Tolworth, in which he was second, to see if it was worth aiming him at the race of the same name at the Festival.

Despite having beaten Gordon Elliott's Fagan by three-quarters of a length, jockey Andrew Tinkler felt O O Seven was right on the edge of his stamina limit and that Cheltenham may stretch him.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite on the back of his excellent effort against Yorkhill at Sandown, he jumped and travelled smoothly throughout but was all out in the finish.

Tinkler said: "You couldn't say he didn't get the trip as he's won but I just think he might struggle to get it at Cheltenham.

"He's a lovely horse, improving with each race, and he'll make a smashing chaser."

Henderson said: "I think after that we'll be looking at the Neptune as two miles and five furlongs might be far enough at Cheltenham.

"Andrew felt he was pulling up a little in front but he might not want to go any further so we might go for the Neptune.

"He's still babyish but he's got plenty of class.

"He's next year's chaser, really."