ANZUM SET FOR KEMPTON

Anzum will head next for the Rendlesham Hurdle at Kempton on February 23rd before bidding for a second win in the Bonusprint Stayers` Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trainer Richard Phillips, whose 10-year-old won the Stayers` in 1999, was 'most pleased' with his charge`s third behind Lady Rebecca in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday on his first start for a year.

Outpaced for much of the two miles and five furlongs of the race, the gelding stayed on strongly in the final stages under regular rider Richard Johnson.

Phillips said: 'I was most pleased with the run, he`ll certainly improve for it and I think we`ll be going for the Rendlesham next.

'The Stayers` is looking like a really open race this year, he`s really powered up the hill and Richard was very pleased with his run.

'Soft ground at Cheltenham would slow the others up - he doesn`t mind it but he needs a real test of stamina so it helps his chances.'

Phillips also had news of ante-post GrandNational favourite Noble Lord, who disappointed when only sixth in the Pertemps Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster.

'They didn`t go a great pace after Course Doctor fell and I thought it was significant that the first two were basically two-and-a-half-mile horses.' he said.

'They just didn`t really go fast enough for his stamina to come into play.

'He`s come out of the race fine and will now go for the Northern National at Newcastle or the De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock.

'But to be fair, he`s not the best handicapped horse, he`s a stone and a half higher than when he finished second in the Scottish National so I hope Phil Smith (the BHB chase handicapper) takes the opportunity to drop him a few pounds.'