Hunt set for Champion Chase bid

Schindlers Hunt, as low as 16/1 for the Johnn Henderson Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham, will swerve the race and run instead in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Dessie Hughes´ charge unseated his rider at Naas last time and the trainer is relieved to report him to be in one piece and still on target for the Festival.

"We thought he may have hurt himself as he ran into a post when loose but he was sound the next day and didn´t do himself any damage.

"He is a nice and fresh and while he hasn´t proved himself this year, he was probably going to win last time.

"He is likely to go for the Champion Chase as he has a lot of weight in the Grand Annual (11-12)."

Hughes will also run two promising novice hurdlers at the four-day showpiece event.

"Fond Of A Drop will run in the Ballymore Properties, he is a nice horse who is improving with every run, while Siegemaster, a half-brother to Our Vic, goes in the Spa Hurdle. Both worked with Hardy Eustace the other day and I am very happy with them."