Lake Set For Mother Bid

Talented gelding Watson Lake is being primed for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Meade's eight-year-old, who finished fourth behind Central House in the Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase last time out, is also entered in the Ryanair Chase and the Racing Post Plate at the big meeting.

But after pleasing connections following that run in February, Meade has opted to throw Watson Lake, fourth behind Contraband in last year's Arkle, in at the deep end.

'That (the Champion Chase) is the race he will go for if all is fine and everything goes well,' reported the County Meath handler.

'Since his last run things have gone very well for him. Since before Christmas he had one niggly problem after another but things have gone well since his last run.

'We've been able to do everything we've wanted to do with him and hopefully we'll get him there in one piece,' Meade told At The Races.

Watson Lake has won won eight races in 19 starts over obstacles and is a best price of 25-1 to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

? PA Sport