PITMAN WITH HIGH HOPES FOR KEMPTON Trainer Mark Pitman today reported Ashley Park in good form for his return to action in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton a week tomorrow.The six-year-old has been restricted to just two runs over hurdles, finishing fourth behind Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March on the second occasion.And Pitman will also be running the promising Hitman, fourth in the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, at Kempton over Christmas.Pitman told the Racing Channel: 'We`ve got a couple of fancied runners at Kempton, one being Ashley Park in the Christmas Hurdle.'Fingers crossed with him, he`s going great guns at the moment.'Timmy Murphy schooled him on Friday _ the first time he`s jumped a hurdle since the Champion Hurdle _ and he was electric.'He only went over three hurdles but he was spectacular.'Hitman is set to run in the jobs.co.uk Novices` Hurdle on Boxing Day.'Hitman runs in a novice hurdle on the first day of Kempton,'Pitman added.'We hope he can build on his Bula run and the horse is in great shape.'Ashley Park and Hitman are 8-1 and 16-1 respectively with Ladbrokes for the 2001 Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
