Connections weighing up options for Hannon

Cheltenham or Aintree could be on the radar for Hannon following his narrow defeat at Naas last Sunday.

The four-year-old was edged out by Chosen Mate in a Grade Two contest, leaving trainer John McConnell considering both Grade One and handicap options at next month’s Festival, or a possible spin on Merseyside in April.

“He was a shade unlucky. David (Noonan) dropped his stick and he was beaten a nose so it’s fine margins, but we were delighted with how he ran,” said McConnell.

“He proved he’s up to that level, but we always felt he was, he just had to prove it.

“The Irish handicapper put him up a stone, so I think he’ll have around 138 or 139 in the UK.

“We need to decide whether to go for the cavalry charge in the Fred Winter or take on the likes of Sir Erec in the Triumph or we might end up at Aintree with him.

“It’s nice thinking about these things rather than a 60-65 at Dundalk!”