Chimes at Midnight to hurdle

Classic-placed Chimes at Midnight is set to embark on a jumping campaign which could culminate in a tilt at the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

The five-year-old, who finished third behind Millenary in the 2000 St Leger, is reported to have taken well to his new job at home and is set for a tryout in a racecourse schooling hurdle in the next fortnight.

Chimes At Midnight won the Curragh Cup last year but was otherwise disappointing on the Flat in 2001 and has been given a break to freshen him up for his new venture.

'He`s had a few months off but he is back now,' said trainer Luke Comer.

'He jumps very well at home but it all depends on how he jumps on the track and he will probably go for a hurdling trial race in the next couple of weeks.

'Then we will keep an eye out for a maiden hurdle with a small field _ we will enter him in half a dozen and find the best.

'He had problems with bursting blood vessels last year and he had one or two injuries. The bursting soured him and hopefully hurdling will sweeten him as they will not be racing off their heads from the start like they do on the Flat.'

Reflecting on the possibility of aiming for the Champion rather than the more usual option of a novice hurdle at the National Hunt Festival, Comer said: 'There is no easy race at Cheltenham.

'The Champion Hurdle could be a very competitive race this year and Istabraq could be as good as ever but if Chimes At Midnight is back to his best I would like to take him on.'

Air Marshall, who finished a place ahead of Chimes At Midnight in the Doncaster Classic two years ago, is also currently being prepared for a hurdling career by Nicky Henderson.