Afsoun Sticking At Two Miles

Afsoun is set to drop back to two miles for next month's boylesports.com International at Cheltenham.

Connections had been mulling a step up in trip with last season's Champion Hurdle third and tried him over two miles and three furlongs for the first time in last weekend's Ascot Hurdle.

Although the five-year-old finished a fine second behind Hardy Eustace, trainer Nicky Henderson does not believe Afsoun will develop into a World Hurdle contender.

'The whole plan at Ascot was to go the two-three and see if he would step up to three and that was our first reaction, that he would go three miles,' explained the Seven Barrows handler, speaking to Racing UK.

'(But) Mick (Fitzgerald, jockey) and I only had to watch it one more time to say ?whoa there'.

'Mick said ?they weren't going fast enough for me' so I can't believe that tells you he's a three-mile horse.

'I think he will almost certainly come back for the boylesports at Cheltenham.

'I haven't really discussed it but I can't believe we're going to go three miles as he didn't race like a three-miler.

'He looked to be wanting a real fast-run two which he proved in the Champion Hurdle last year.'

Afsoun is now 20-1 from 33-1 with totesport for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the Festival in March.

(C) PA Sport