Zig could step up in trip Ptit Zig could step up to three miles under fast-ground conditions after finishing a never-nearer fifth to Vautour in the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Connections believe the ground was a bit too quick for the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old over two and a half miles and that was why he struggled to make an impression. "He ran a little bit below par. The jockey (Sam Twiston-Davies) reported he was never comfortable or within his comfort zone," said co-owner Barry Fulton. "I think (with) the ground being that quick we'd have to run over longer, three miles - on softer ground it would be fine. "We're going to see how he comes out of that race and whether we put him away now or give him another run. "It's possible he could run again but the horse will tell us. He's had quite a lot of runs this season." Fulton revealed Black Thunder has had surgery after sustaining a foot fracture when seventh to The Druids Nephew in the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase at the Festival. "He's got a small fracture on his foot. We've had to put a screw in it," he said. "He's had the operation. It went very well, he's fine and should be OK for next season, but we won't see him now until October." Fulton reports Easter Day to be back in training after suffering a setback in the BetBright Chase won by Rocky Creek at Kempton in February. "He put his foot in the brook at the water jump at Kempton. He hurt his foot and hurt his back," he said. "He will be starting to canter this week. I don't know how long it will take him to get fit again. I'm not quite sure yet if he'll be able to run again this season."
