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Kim Muir the preferred option for The Young Master

The Young Master (noseband)The Young Master (noseband)
© Photo Healy Racing

Neil Mulholland is leaning towards making the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup the Cheltenham Festival target for The Young Master.

Although the Limpley Stoke based handler is likely to give the 10-year-old an entry in the Ultima Handicap Chase on the opening day of the meeting, an outing in the extended three-mile-one-furlong amateur riders' prize is his preferred option.

After winning his first two starts of the season, The Young Master was denied a hat-trick after pulling up on his most recent outing in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in December.

Mulholland said: "The Young Master is in good form. He will get an entry in the Ultima and the Kim Muir and then things like the Scottish National.

"I’d be looking more towards the Kim Muir at this stage, as it is a 0-145 rated race and Sam (Waley-Cohen) can also ride him then.

"We put him away after the Ladbrokes Trophy, as he needs good ground. I know we’ve had plenty recently, but we wouldn’t normally get it at this time of the season."