Smooth Tom ready for step up in class Andy Slattery is ready to pitch Smooth Tom into Grade 1 company over Christmas after he made it two from two over flights in Naas. The son of Elzaam is booked for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown after he asserted to win a novice hurdle by three lengths last month. The trainer said: "He runs in the Grade 1 at Christmas and that will tell us where we are going. If that doesn't work out, we can give him his break. He is nice. "He has been on the go a long time and I was going to let him off after Naas because he had one run in Listowel and he jumped moderately in Listowel and still won. "He jumped great the last day (in Naas). "He is on the go since last March and we were just saying he needed a break, but he seems in great form." The four-year-old gelding also has two Flat victories in his locker including in a handicap at Leopardstown in May.
