Lindenhurst has Cheltenham options

Lindenhurst's performance on the gallops in the next couple of weeks will tell trainer John McConnell whether to target the JCB Triumph Hurdle or head for the Fred Winter at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

The four-year-old has won twice from four starts over hurdles, and was last seen beating subsequent Grade One winner Guitar Pete at Gowran Park in early October.

McConnell has been pleased with his youngster's progress, but is in no rush to decide whether to take on the best juveniles around in the Triumph or go down the handicap route in the Fred Winter.

The trainer said: "We always intended to give him a break after his run at Gowran and we toyed with putting him in the race at Fairyhouse but with the ground being very heavy, we felt it would not be of any benefit to go there.

"He's in good form at home, he's in the Fred Winter and the Triumph Hurdle and which way he goes will depend on how he works between now and Cheltenham.

"We think he's going to get a mark of 130, which we're happy with. It was never going to be much lower than that given his form with Guitar Pete.

"Guitar Pete has probably improved since we met him, but we're happy with our horse and we'll see how he goes."