Cotton Mill puts Champion Hurdle credentials on line at Newbury

Last updated: 8th February 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

John Ferguson

John Ferguson: Will learn plenty from Cotton Mill run

Cotton Mill faces the acid test ahead of the Cheltenham Festival when he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

The six-year-old is as low as 16-1 for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, even though he has yet to run over two miles.

Campaigned over further last term, Cotton Mill has his first attempt at the trip in this valuable and ultra-competitive handicap.

Trainer John Ferguson admits it is a "fact-finding mission", and hopes the horse will also come on for his first run since finding three miles too far when third to Lovcen at Aintree in April.

"He's very well and he's been in great form for a while, but we didn't want to run him on heavy ground," said the Newmarket handler.

"We're looking forward to a good run, but wouldn't be surprised if he improves for the run.

"He won over a mile and a quarter on the Flat at Newmarket, so two miles over hurdles shouldn't be a problem.

"It's as much a fact-finding mission in that hopefully after Saturday, if all goes well, we are going to know what his optimum trip is."