Ben Pauling plotting Barters Hill comeback bid
BEN PAULING is eyeing hurdles races at Ascot and Cheltenham as potential destinations for the long-awaited comeback of stable star Barters Hill.
The tenacious seven-year-old won his first seven races in bumpers and novice hurdles combined before going out on his sword with a creditable fourth in the Albert Bartlett at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.
He looked an exciting novice chase prospect heading into last season but, sadly, he was pulled up injured on his chasing debut at Cheltenham 12 months ago and has been absent from the track since.
Pauling said: "It is easier for him to start over hurdles. I'm thrilled with how he is coming along.
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"He will start doing three canters this week. He has got a lot of fitness work to do. He has certainly put a lot of condition on during his time off.
Templegate's Treble
NAP 2.20 Kempton - Kitty Boo: 'Could get her own way out in front and looks much better suit to the all-weather'
NEXT BEST 3.50 Kempton - Boy In The Bar: 'Ran a cracker at Doncaster last time on soft ground off a 14lbs higher mark than here'
TREBLE 2.50 Kempton - Western Hymn: 'Won this last year and return to this surface can revitalise this classy gelding'
"There are a couple of races around the middle of December, one is at Ascot the other is at Cheltenham. We will just see when he is ready."
The trainer added: "If he is good enough it would be lovely to go down the Stayers' Hurdle route, but he has got to prove he has still got the engine first."