Jack Team Optimistic

Jonjo O'Neill hopes the recent fine weather continues to predominate at Cheltenham ahead of Black Jack Ketchum's date with destiny in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Having warned punters his charge would be unlikely to run at the Festival on testing ground, O'Neill yesterday intimated suitable conditions looked likely to materialise by Thursday ? providing the weather forecast proves accurate.

Of his eight-year-old, who regained favouritism for the World Hurdle earlier in the week, O'Neill said: 'He's in grand form and we want to run as long as the ground is right, so the dry spell has come at the right time.

'I just hope it's not a case of too little too late but, assuming the forecast is right, he's a runner.

'We're going to leave our decision until the last possible moment to give him every chance of running. We want to run,' he told the Racing Post.

The master of Jackdaws Castle will also be keeping a close eye on the weather before deciding whether Mountain lines up in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

After making a successful debut over timber last month, the son of Montjeu trades as low as 7-1 with William Hill for the juvenile championship.

'He has pleased us at home, but as I saw even more rain falling last week I thought he had to be a doubtful runner in the race,' O'Neill said.

'But once again we want to run as long as it's not very testing, as I thought he was pretty good at Sandown.

'This race has been the plan ever since he joined the yard, so a decision will be left till the last possible moment.'

(C) PA Sport