Trafford on target for Ballymore

Dusty Sheehy is delighted with the condition of Trafford Lad as the Kilkenny trainer plots an assault on the Ballymore Properties Novices´ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The lightly-raced gelding won his first three races, including one at Grade One level, before finding the concession of 7lb to Venalmar just beyond him in January.

Trafford Lad stood his ground in the Ballymore and the Albert Bartlett Novices´ Hurdle at the forfeit stage, but Sheehy confirmed the shorter race as his favoured target.

"We´d be leaning towards the Ballymore more than the three-miler - it´ll more than likely be the Ballymore for him," said Sheehy.

"Everything is 100% with him and we´ve just not run since Naas because he´d have had to give away a Grade One penalty.

"We´ve done that once before and we don´t want to do it again but we´re very happy with the horse. Hopefully he can stay that way for the next few weeks.

"He might get one school up the Curragh, maybe over hurdles up there, and we´ll chip away but he´ll not do anything on the racecourse as he´s plenty fit and well."

Trafford Lad features among the 107 horses still in the Ballymore, along with current ante-post favourite Aigle D´Or.

Prominent fancies Forpadydeplasterer, Group Captain and Breedsbreeze are still involved, although that trio are also still in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices´ Hurdle.

Of the 49 defecting from the Ballymore, Aranleigh and Calgary Bay are the most notable now certain to skip the race.

Franchoek has been taken out but Alan King is targeting the youngster at the JCB Triumph Hurdle, for which he remains a solid favourite.