Plenty Of Options For Spinner

Leg Spinner could make his seasonal debut at the Cheltenham Festival if the ground is suitable.

Trainer Tony Martin is planning a spring campaign for his dual-purpose performer, who was last seen winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October.

The Easter meeting at Fairyhouse in March as well as the April festivals at Aintree and Punchestown are also being considered.

And as the seven-year-old is still a novice over hurdles, Martin has plenty of options.

Martin can choose from the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, the Albert Bartlett Spa Novices' Hurdle and the Coral Cup as Leg Spinner's Cheltenham target.

"Touch wood he's well and he's got plenty of options, but he won't go to Cheltenham unless the ground is good," said the County Meath-based handler.

"It all depends but if Cheltenham get their usual conditions then there are plenty of races open to him. He's only a novice and he's not qualified for the Pertemps Hurdle Final.

"He's not been back that long, so if he goes to Cheltenham it would probably be without a run, he'd have a little gallop somewhere, about 10 days before.

"Then there's Fairyhouse, Liverpool and Punchestown for him. I didn't want to get him ready too early with those meetings in mind."

(C) PA Sport