Cheltenham Festival options for Moon D'orange

John McConnell is eyeing up a return to Cheltenham in March with Moon D’orange who recorded a valuable win in the €100,000 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park last Saturday.

The seven-year-old son of Spanish Moon was switched to fences after rejoining McConnell this season and benefitted from a patient ride by Sean Bowen when just getting the better of Grandeur D’ame.

“He got a great ride and totally different tactics, and I think we’ve found the way to ride him. In fairness to the horse he had to be tough up that hill which he was and it was a great pot to win,” said the Stamullen trainer.

“He’s bounced out of the race. He was on the walker at home on Sunday morning and you wouldn’t know he’d had a race.

“He’ll probably go for either the novice handicap or the Plate — they are both on the Thursday and both over two and a half.

“He might stay three miles but I think he’s very strong at that trip so we’ll probably stick to that.”