Lac Fontana sold to Axom Racehorse Syndicates

Cheltenham Festival winner Lac Fontana will carry new colours next season after being bought by Axom Racehorse Syndicates.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old won the County Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March of last year for Potensis Bloodstock and followed up with a Grade One victory in Aintree's Mersey Novices' Hurdle the following month.

He kicked off this season with a third-placed finish behind subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen at Ascot and although he has found life tough since, Axom's racing manager, Dan Downie, is looking forward to seeing him pursue a career over fences in the autumn.

"We are delighted to have bought Lac Fontana. He is a high-class horse and could be a very exciting novice chaser next season. We are hoping he can represent Axom at next year's major Festivals and his previous exploits give us every reason to be optimistic," said Downie.

Lac Fontana will remain with the champion trainer, who said: "We've had a lot of success for Axom and I'm delighted they have bought Lac Fontana. He will go novice chasing and is a very smart horse."

Axom has enjoyed its best season to date with two Grade One wins courtesy of Irving (Fighting Fifth Hurdle) and Vibrato Valtat (Henry VIII Novices' Chase) and shares in Lac Fontana are available.