Fountains Windfall to test staying claims at Wetherby
Trainer Anthony Honeyball is handing his progressive Aintree festival winner a chance to shine in classy company ahead of a potential tilt at the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle.
ANTHONY HONEYBALL will test the water in graded company with Fountains Windfall in the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday.
A most impressive winner of a handicap at Aintree on Grand National Day, he is stepping up in class and his trainer his eyeing a potential tilt at the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, Honeyball has said his seven-year-old could switch to a campaign over fences should he fall short of the standard required at Wetherby on Saturday in the Grade Two contest registered as the West Yorkshire Hurdle.
"He definitely runs and we'll find out what we're doing for the rest of the season," said Honeyball.
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"He's seven going on eight and we've already schooled him over fences, I think he'll be a better chaser.
"But if he were to run a blinder in this, then the World Hurdle would be the dream.
"This race comes at the ideal time because if he's not up to taking on the best we can prepare him for going chasing for the rest of November, whereas if we stay hurdling the races choose themselves - Newbury, Cheltenham in January and then March.
"The ground will be find for him, but it's slightly amusing we've got to give weight to a horse like Lil Rockerfeller who was second in the World Hurdle."