Ahoy Senor looks set for an exciting rematch with Bravemansgame at next month's Cheltenham Festival after his connections said they were leaning towards the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase with their stable star.
The seven-year-old, who landed the Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby last time, was beaten by Bravemansgame in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase - his sole defeat in three completed starts over fences.
Ahoy Senor has options
He is around 8/1 for the Brown Advisory behind Bravemansgame and the short-priced favourite Galopin Des Champs, whose trainer Willie Mullins said was more likely to take on Bob Olinger in the Turners Novices' Chase.
Ahoy Senor also has the options of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup or running at Aintree but Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer to his partner Lucinda Russell, said the Brown Advisory was his most likely destination. You can follow the action via our Sports Live Streaming service.
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"We're much more positive about him running at Cheltenham than we were," said the eight-time champion jockey. "I don't know why we were so worried, really. Galopin Des Champs is going to the 2m4f race but his trainer Willie Mullins is bound to have something else in it.
"Ahoy Senor worked on Saturday, we're happy with him. As long as the ground's okay and he continues on that upward pattern that he's in at the moment, we'll go to Cheltenham.
"We're very privileged to have a horse who's good enough to go. There won't be many British people who'll have a horse under 10/1 going to Cheltenham. This is what it's all about."
The market for the Brown Advisory is headed by Galopin Des Champs, at 1/1 generally, and Bravemansgame, who is available at 9/4 after extending his unbeaten record over fences in a novice handicap last time.
