Fleming has Aintree in mind for Gwencily Berbas Gwencily Berbas has Aintree on his agenda after a near miss on hunter chase debut at Thurles. Trainer Alan Fleming reports the eight-year-old none the worse for his last-fence spill, when he and jockey Aine O'Connor departed while still upsides the winner Ucello Conti. Gwencily Berbas, a graded winner over hurdles in his youth and also a useful chaser, will have entries in both the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters. Fleming is favouring the latter but will return Barry Connell's big-race hope to point-to-points first - to regain confidence, and qualify for the Festivals too. "We are hoping to go to Aintree - the track will suit him really well there," said Fleming. "The plan is Aintree, Fairyhouse, Punchestown." Before then, Gwencily Berbas has some winning to do between the flags - having finished runner-up in his first point-to-point at Mainstown two weeks ago. "He’ll go back point-to-pointing now, and get a bit of confidence," added Fleming. "He will have to win two to qualify. "That could be a little rush for Cheltenham, but he will have an entry there too." As for the likely outcome last weekend, the Curragh trainer admits no one can be definite who would have come out on top. "It was nip and tuck there. "You’ll never know for sure, but he was not going to go down without a fight — and he stays well. "Aine felt she had enough there under her, and we are happy with the horse." Gwencily Berbas has raced just 15 times as he moves into his fifth campaign to date in Ireland, since marking his arrival from France with a Grade Two victory at Fairyhouse on his stable debut in early 2015. Fleming added: "He’s had a few problems, but the most important thing now is just to keep his jumping right."
