Victor Dartnall has been keeping his powder dry with the Cheltenham Festival in mind for exciting young chaser Roudoudou Ville.
The seven-year-old looked to have a big future when winning on his first start of the campaign at Sandown in November.
He enhanced his reputation when beaten only a length into third in the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham a month later.
The fact he has not run since is by design.
"He's in great form and we're looking forward to Cheltenham with him now," said Dartnall
"We haven't had any problems with him since he ran in December.
"We just haven't run him since because he doesn't like softer ground and we wanted to try and protect his handicap mark.
"The plan is for him to the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival and hopefully he'll turn up at Cheltenham fresh and well."
Another exciting member of Dartnall's team is Ambion Wood, a narrow second to Cotton Mill in the Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick last month.
He is set to remain at Grade Two level in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Haydock on February 18, but is unlikely to run in the race with the same name at Cheltenham next month.
"He ran very well at Warwick and, all going well, he'll run at Haydock in the three-mile novice hurdle there," said Dartnall.
"Hopefully it's heavy ground as he likes it testing and Haydock looks the obvious place to go with him.
"He's entered at Cheltenham, but I'd say it's unlikely he'll run there."
