King has Cheltenham target for Julio

Alan King has Cheltenham Festival ambitions for Hold On Julio following his second runaway victory at Sandown yesterday.

The nine-year-old joined the Barbury Castle handler following a hunter chase victory at Kelso in the spring and he has made a brilliant start for his new connections.

After bolting up at Sandown in November, the lightly-raced gelding returned to Esher to beat a field of established handicappers with ease.

"I was delighted with him. His jumping could have been better but he powered away in the end and hopefully we can sort the jumping out," said King.

"He's obviously had problems in his early career but apart from a bout of ringworm a few weeks ago, we've had a lovely, clear run with him.

"When we started working him in the autumn, everyone who sat on him fell in love with him, so we knew he was a good horse.

"He was a stone higher yesterday than he was on his first run and I'd imagine he'll go up another stone now, but when you win a £50,000 race, you don't mind as much!

"The three-mile handicap (JLT Specialty Chase) on the opening day of the Festival would look the obvious target for him at Cheltenham and I'd imagine he'll have another run somewhere beforehand.

"I haven't had a proper look yet but we'll try to find something in the middle of February."