Value At Risk © Photo Healy Racing
Value At Risk will step up to three miles in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following his narrow reverse at Prestbury Park on Saturday.
A top-class bumper horse last season, the six-year-old made a sparkling hurdling debut for Dan Skelton at Newbury last month and was a hot favourite to follow up in the Neptune Novices' Hurdle.
Having cut out much of the running, Value At Risk looked in danger of being swallowed up from the home turn, but stuck to his guns admirably on the run-in and was beaten less than a length into the runner-up spot by Ordo Ab Chao.
Skelton feels the time is right to step his star youngster up in distance.
He said: "He seems fine. He's eaten up and he's been out for a walk. Everything is good.
"We were disappointed to get beat and that's what everyone is focusing on.
"I've been trying my hardest not to go three miles with him for as long as I could. We know he's a stayer, but it was just a case of trying not to use up too much petrol at this early stage of his career.
"I think Saturday was concrete evidence that he needs to go three miles now. He's a strong stayer and regained a place after the last (hurdle).
"I think the ride was appropriate and the tactics were appropriate. We hoped we'd have enough speed to see them off from the home turn, but there were just too many horses going well.
"We were surrounded by good horses who are all going to have big-race targets and we'll go straight for the Albert Bartlett now.
"I've always said he's next year's chaser, though, and I still maintain that."
