Pearl Castle set to go on trial for Triumph in next fortnight
JCB Triumph Hurdle fancy Pearl Castle is likely to appear at either Haydock or Doncaster within the next fortnight.
Last Updated: 06/02/14 3:14pm
The four-year-old won twice on the level for Andrew Balding and although he failed to make an impact on his jumping debut at Wetherby, he appeared much improved when striking by 16 lengths on Town Moor last month.
The son of Montjeu is a best-priced 16-1 for Cheltenham and also holds an entry in the Sky Bet Supreme, but trainer John Quinn is keen to see how his charge fares on his next start before committing to either race.
"He's in good shape and I'd like to get another run into him (before Cheltenham)," said Quinn.
"I'll put him in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock (February 15), but he does want nice ground, so we'll have to see which way the weather goes. There is a race at Doncaster on February 19, so I might just wait and run him there."
The leading dual-purpose handler is particularly strong in the juvenile hurdling division this term.
French recruit Aurore D'Estruval looked the part when making a winning British debut at Wetherby last Saturday and holds entries in both the Supreme and the Triumph at Prestbury Park in March.
Rutherglen is three from three over hurdles and could go for either the Triumph or the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle, depending on the outcome of his next start.
Quinn said: "She won (Aurore D'Estruval) well, she jumps well and she's a nice mare for us to look forward to.
"I'm hoping to run her somewhere next week. I'll stick her in the Victor Ludorum as well and there is also a Listed mares race at Sandown on the Friday. Her next run will tell us a bit more about where we're going with her.
"Rutherglen will be in the Triumph and the Fred Winter and I'm not sure which way he'll go, but he's a nice horse and good enough to go (to Cheltenham).
"He'll probably have a run next week, I'll put him in at Kelso on Thursday but if
the ground is too soft I could even run him on the Flat somewhere."