RACING: Coneygree to step up at Festival (From thisisoxfordshire)
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RACING: Coneygree to step up at Festival
10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453
Coneygree is set to revert to three miles at the Cheltenham Festival after losing his unbeaten record over hurdles at Prestbury Park on Saturday.
The six-year-old, from Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage, was outpaced by At Fishers Cross and The New One as he finished third in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and an extended four furlongs.
He holds three entries at the Festival in the Grade 1 equivalent race over a similar trip, together with the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, both over three miles.
And Bradstock said the latter event is his likely target.
Reflecting on Saturday’s outing, the trainer added: “He has run a smashing race. We have always thought he is suited more by three miles.”
