Geos set for Leopardstown

Versatile jumper Geos is set to go hurdling on his next outing - and tackle the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

This would be instead of continuing his chasing career, which started so promisingly when he was second to Edredon Bleu at Huntingdon.

Following discussions with the gelding`s owners, trainer Nicky Henderson feels a return to hurdling could be the order of the day for Geos, who loves the soft ground he would almost certainly encounter in Ireland on January 19th.

The Seven Barrows trainer said: 'He`s in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Champion Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle. In fact, he`s in anything and everything and while it`s tempting to go both ways I`m leaning towards the AIG Hurdle.

'He ran a fantastic race in the Peterborough Chase when he was taking on the champion two-miler at his best. He pulled a muscle afterwards but he is fine now.'

Henderson revealed that Bacchanal, third to Florida Pearl and Best Mate in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on his latest outing, would ideally have two more outings before the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Stressing the importance of cut in the ground to the Lady Lloyd Webber- owned chestnut, Henderson added: 'Anyone worth his salt knows that three miles on fast ground at Kempton would suit a horse like Best Mate more than my fellow and the time was nine seconds under the standard, which tells you something.

'He wants and loves the soft ground and, to be kind to him, all he does is stay all day.

'He`s a proper stayer and that`s the advantage we have to come when we tackle further.

'He`ll definitely have another run and I wouldn`t mind taking in two races like the Aon Chase, the Pillar Chase and the Peter Marsh Chase, although there`s no way he and Marlborough will run against each other before the Festival.'