Gloucestershire Echo

Haydock outing in pipeline for impressive Ask Ben

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IMPRESSIVE weekend winner Ask Ben will have one more run before heading to the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Graeme Mcpherson says.

The six-year-old is unbeaten in two completed starts this term, with Sunday’s success at Ayr following on from a 50/1 shock victory on his debut under Rules.

A void race split those efforts, which have secured him a slot in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle market with 50 days to go until the big meeting in March.

Haydock’s Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle on February 16 comes next for the son of Ask, who was leased to the Turf Club this season.

“Ask Ben will definitely get an Albert Bartlett entry,” said Mcpherson.

“Ever since he won at Newcastle it has been at the back of my mind.

“We went all the way to Ayr to try him over three miles, as there aren’t too many novice hurdles over that distance.

“He’s a relentless galloper and very profession­al.

“He perhaps didn’t get the credit he deserves for beating Beaks town (at Newcastle on December 1, subsequent Grade Two winner) as his team thought he had underperfo­rmed.

“The type of horse he is and his jumping should help him turn into an exciting chaser in the future.

“As long as everything goes to plan he’ll run at Haydock next.”

Mcpherson’s yard is currently undergoing a significan­t expansion and occupying one of the stables is 2017 Albert Bartlett fifth Ami Desbois.

Around 40 horses are in training at the Stow-on-the-wold facility and young prospects in pre-training at present will be brought in to join the likes of Captain Mcgarry, restricted to just the one successful run in a bumper.

“I’m pleased to say he should be returning from a spell on the sidelines in the first fortnight of February,” Mcpherson added.

“We’ve been taking it steady and hope that he retains all his ability.

“He certainly has the engine.”

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