Christmas presence for Hills?

Trainer Ben Pauling believes a return to action for Barters Hills around Christmas is a possibility after the seven-yearold completed the latest stage of his rehabilitation.

The Grade One- winning novice hurdler has been sidelined since sustaining a serious tendon injury on his steeplechasing debut in november. He subsequently needed an operation.

But after a month of daily exercise on a water treadmill, Barters Hill is ready to be ridden once more.

Pauling said: ‘Having been the flag-bearer in my early years of training, he will only return to racing if he is a1.

‘But at this present moment i think he probably can be. it is fabulous to have him back in the yard. He looks incredible and he really is an athlete.

‘if we can get him back and the injury holds, i believe he can come back to something like he was — which is a very exciting horse.’