Next Sensation back to Cheltenham on Saturday, according to trainer Michael Scudamore
Monday 19 October 2015 22:03, UK
Last season's Grand Annual Chase winner Next Sensation is on course to return to action at Cheltenham this Saturday.
The eight-year-old provided trainer Michael Scudamore with his first winner at The Festival when capturing the two-mile Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase in March and is among 17 entries for Saturday's opening £50,000 winner.co.uk Handicap Chase over the same distance.
Next Sensation has not run since being pulled up in the Betfred Red Rum Chase at Aintree's Crabbie's Grand National Festival in April.
Scudamore said: "The plan is to run Next Sensation at Cheltenham on Saturday providing the ground is okay.
"He has had a nice long holiday and everything has been fine with him. He seems as keen and eager as ever and we are looking forward to starting him off.
"The dream with him is to get up the level required for those good conditions chases. At the moment, he is in no man's land with his mark (151).
"He has improved year on year and this summer seems no different - he has come in that bit bigger and stronger. It will be exciting to see if he can step up to the next level."
The entries are topped by multiple Grade Two winner Hidden Cyclone, who was last seen out when fourth in the Galway Hurdle in July, and 2013 Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Johns Spirit.
Eastlake, runner-up to Next Sensation at The Festival, is also engaged along with course and distance scorer Dunraven Storm and recent Chepstow victor Astracad.
Leading four-year-olds Top Notch and Hargam could clash in the £30,000 Masterson Holdings Hurdle over two miles. Both horses are trained by Nicky Henderson and were second and third respectively to stablemate Peace And Co in this year's JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival.
Qualando, winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, also features among the 13 entries along with JCB Triumph Hurdle fourth Devilment and exciting French imports Fou Et Sage and Forest Bihan.
Cheltenham also stages a seven-race card this Friday, featuring the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle over three miles and two £20,000 novices' chases.
The going at Cheltenham is currently Good, Good to Firm in places with watering to maintain the current going description.
