Tom Lacey is looking forward to testing Glory And Fortune against the very best two-mile hurdlers after winning the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.
The seven-year-old scooped more than £87,000 in prize-money for connections when winning the big-field handicap at the Berkshire track under Stan Sheppard, although he hit the front early enough and had to see off the persistent late challenge of novice I Like To Move It to hold on by a short head.
Glory And Fortune has progressed significantly through the ranks this season, winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las and finishing a fine second to Epatante on his first attempt at the top level in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle.
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And the Hertfordshire trainer was thrilled with his latest performance and has his sights firmly set on the Champion Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival, with Glory And Fortune 40/1 to win that race.
Lacey said: "He was a big price, so I didn't feel too much pressure. It's lovely to come to a big handicap like that and not feel any pressure.
"He's got over his wind issues and grown in confidence and improved, and we've learned a lot about him.
"We stopped working him, he does enough on his own without us forcing him to do his work once or twice a week and it's paid dividends."
On the Champion Hurdle challenge against Honeysuckle and co, Lacey added: "We won't shirk from that, I'm looking forward to it.
"He's had his setbacks through no fault of his own, but he's been with me since he was three and he's been a good fun horse."
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