Gifford Has Grounds For Running Bear Again

Straw Bear, a close second in last Tuesday's Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle, could run at both Aintree and Punchestown 'ground permitting' before he has a summer break.

Nick Gifford's five-year-old looked all over the winner but lost valuable momentum at the final flight and was beaten only a neck by Noland in the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Findon trainer is keen to run J P McManus's charge again this season so long as he gets his favoured conditions.

'He's absolutely fine and in great form,' Gifford said.

'He's come out of the race absolutely kicking and squealing and I couldn't be happier with him. He's come out of that race unbelievably well.

'What we do with him now would very much depend on the weather. He'd want good to soft ground or even good ground as long as there was moisture around.

'Obviously there's Aintree or Punchestown but if it didn't rain at either he wouldn't go to either and then we'd wait for next season.

'If he ran at Aintree and he came out of Aintree as well as he came out of Cheltenham why not (go to Punchestown).

'Obviously it all has to be discussed with connections but he hasn't had a hard season and he's absolutely bouncing at home.'

Reflecting on last week's effort Gifford added: 'He ran a terrific race last week but you've got to jump every hurdle. But he showed how tough he is by battling back having lost his momentum.

'He's a terrific horse to look forward to. He just needs to brush up his jumping.'

(C) PA Sport