Fute aimed at Cheltenham handicap

One of the Cheltenham Festival handicaps is looking more a probability for P'Tit Fute than his speculative entry in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Francis Flood's eight-year-old chased home Solwhit in the Leopardstown November Handicap but has only made one appearance over hurdles this winter when he won the Pertemps Qualifier at the same course in mid-January.

"It's only a slight possibility he would go for that race (World Hurdle)," said the County Wicklow handler.

"It is more than likely he will go for either the Coral Cup or the Pertemps Final.

"I don't think he will run before Cheltenham. Touch-wood, things are OK and I think I might take him for a gallop at Leopardstown.

"They open the track up there a few days before Cheltenham."