Sam Set For World Bid

Former high-class chaser Lord Sam is being prepared for a crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 15.

Trainer Victor Dartnall plans to give the 11-year-old a prep run at Sandown next month before stepping up in grade for the stayers' contest.

Dartnall said: 'He will run at Sandown on February 3 and if all goes well, he will then go to Cheltenham.

'He always had different jockeys over fences which never helped, and he then got a sinus problem after he won at Punchestown and it has taken us a long time to get him right.

'But we got him back when he was just beaten a short head at Haydock in May, but he is rated 151 so there aren't that many options for him.'

(C) PA Sport