Options open for Rawnaq Trainer Matthew Smith will await the handicapper's assessment of Rawnaq's victory at Navan on Sunday before committing to future targets. The eight-year-old was a 25-1 outsider of four for the Grade Two Flyingbolt Novice Chase, but wore down hot favourite Gilgamboa to claim a victory that was a shock to most people, but not to his trainer. Rawnaq does not hold entries in any of the major novice events at the Cheltenham Festival, but could be given handicap engagements, while the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse over Easter is another possible option. Smith said: "We're delighted with him. It was a great result and there's not a bother on him this morning. "It wasn't a great shock to us and there was no fluke about it. He was always a decent horse over hurdles. "He was disappointing on his last run at Cork, but we had a few issues with him at the time. He was the outsider of four, but he was rated 140 over hurdles, which is the same as Gilgamboa, so we were hopeful. "We decided not to enter him up for the big novice races at Cheltenham as we just wanted to get him back on the racecourse and see how he was. "We'll see where we go from here and see what the handicapper does. We'll have a look at the Cheltenham handicaps, but it would be difficult to win around there with a lot of weight on his back. "There are options at home. There's the big meetings at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, so we'll see. "The ground was tacky enough (on Sunday). He is versatile ground-wise, but I think he's definitely a better horse on better ground. "It was his first run since October and he always takes a run or two to bring him on."
