Crawford's Carnfunnock on course for Cheltenham

Stuart Crawford saddled O'Toole to win a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown yesterday and the Co Antrim trainer gave an update on a couple of his other leading performers.

Carnfunnock is on course for another tilt at the hunters' chase at Cheltenham next week, having finished sixth to Wonderwall in last year's renewal.

The Getaway gelding was only beaten six lengths by leading hunter Its On The Line at Down Royal over Christmas, and was successful 'between the flags' either side of that outing.

“The drier the ground the better his chance would be," said Crawford.

“He’s been in good form this year. He’s had two point-to-point runs and won them both well.

“From last year, it’s always been on our mind to go back to Cheltenham again.

“A bit of luck on the day, who knows. With the big field, they can go hard and you just never know how it pans out.”

Recent winner Al Kalila holds an entry in the 2m4f novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham but, according to his trainer, is more likely to be aimed at targets later in the spring.

“He won at Kelso last weekend and it depends on what he goes up for it.

“He could be a horse to aim at the Scottish National meeting. There is a good novice chase there and that might be a target, but I haven’t really discussed it yet.

“Hopefully we find something for him at one of those spring festivals.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson