Beau takes Final test

George Charlton's stable star Knockara Beau is on course for the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival.

Back to form Knockara Beau will tackle the Pertemps Final

George Charlton's stable star Knockara Beau is on course for the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival following his tremendous victory under top weight in a qualifier at Carlisle last month. Charlton also has the eight-year-old in the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase at the Festival but confirms the three-mile handicap hurdle is the target. "That was a tremendous run at Carlisle. He's a lovely horse and I'm looking forward to Cheltenham with him," said the Northumberland handler. "He's going for the Pertemps Final and he could have top weight there. David Pipe has got one rated 161 (Ashkazar) and we are on 156. "It was a good performance last time and the horse is having a run of good luck at last this year, thank goodness. "He had setbacks at the start of the season, but we seem to have ironed that out and the problems have been solved and we'll stick to hurdles with him for this one and see where we go from here." Knockara Beau had disappointed over fences earlier in the season but bounced back to form when runner-up to Grands Crus in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham before his win at Carlisle.