Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Lil Rockerfeller could be bound for the Punchestown Festival if trainer Neil King cannot find a suitable race at Cheltenham for his smart staying hurdler.
King had thought about either the Coral Cup or the World Hurdle for his progressive five-year-old, but is having second thoughts following Lil Rockerfeller's latest effort when he was a fine third under top weight in a Grade Three handicap hurdle behind Rock The Kasbah at Ascot.
"He still keeps improving. At Ascot he ran a hell of a race under top weight. It was a big ask for him but we went there and tried," the Wiltshire handler told At The Races.
"In the Relkeel (when second to Camping Ground), he didn't get the credit he deserved. He ran a smashing race there. He was the eyecatcher for me.
"He's in good form at home and we're going to look at the National Spirit at Fontwell for him.
"He'll have an entry in the Coral Cup but I think we've probably handicapped ourselves out of that now.
"We're in the World Hurdle but if all the principals go there, then they would take all the beating.
"If we can't find a winnable option at the Festival for him then there's always Punchestown. They've got a valuable three-mile stayers' race on this year so it might be we keep him fresh and head there with him."
