Brindisi could skip Cheltenham

Lucinda Russell will not risk Brindisi Breeze at Cheltenham unless she is satisfied there is enough cut in the ground.

The six-year-old (who won a point-to-point for Pat Doyle at Loughrea last October) maintained his unbeaten record over timber in a Grade Two at Haydock on Saturday, winning by upwards of 12 lengths.

While Russell has her eye on the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, she is aware that the six-year-old's only defeat under Rules came on good ground.

"He won so nicely at Newcastle I didn't think he could do it again, but he did the same at Haydock," she said.

"He's a fantastic horse to have, he's improving, he's tough and he loved the soft ground at Haydock.

"The ground is key. He's being aimed at the Albert Bartlett. I've spoken to the owner, and he's very keen. He'll run as long as the ground is on the soft side.

"On the balance of probability it will probably be good. If it's good to soft that will be ideal.

"We are looking at the future with him. Long term he's going to make a chaser but we are very excited about him as a hurdler.

"If the conditions don't suit there's no point in running as the horse isn't going to run up to his best, no matter what the prize money is like. Soft ground will come again," she told At The Races.

Brindisi Breeze is a 10-1 chance with Sky Bet for the Albert Bartlett.