Ferof for chasing next season

Al Ferof will embark upon a novice chasing career following his outstanding success in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Despite the striking nature of Tuesday's Cheltenham Festival victory, trainer Paul Nicholls will resist the urge to run him again this term.

Al Ferof, owned by John Hales, will instead return next season with a view to being campaigned over fences.

Nicholls said: "Even though the Supreme was clearly a very good race - it was actually faster than the Champion - I don't think he is a horse that wants to stay hurdling too long.

"We will school him, put him away, and bring him back for a novice chase in the autumn, maybe at Exeter."

The Ditcheat handler enjoyed a fine Cheltenham, but a notable disappointment was Master Minded, who beat just three home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Nicholls told his blog on www.betfair.com: "We were nervous of the ground beforehand, and he wants further when encountering that ground in the future.

"We'll go for the two-mile-four-furlong at Aintree (Melling Chase) and he will possibly be prepared for the King George."

Of his other potential runners on Merseyside, Gold Cup runner-up Denman is being considered for a tilt at the totesport Bowl.

World Hurdle hero Big Buck's and Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar could also be seen at Aintree, along with the likes of Poquelin, Woolcombe Folly, Robinson Collonges, Brampour, Ghizao, Definity and Rock On Ruby.

Sam Winner, a staying-on fourth in the Triumph, will be put away for the season, while Aiteen Thirtythree, who was pulled up during the RSA Chase, returned home with sore shins.

Nicholls added of the latter: "Daryl (Jacob) said he was like a car with flat tyres coming down the hill.

"He will be prepared for the Hennessy."

What A Friend excelled in the Gold Cup, finishing fourth, and is "highly likely" to run in the John Smith's Grand National if the ground is good.

Neptune Collonges, meanwhile, could be given a ticket in the Scottish equivalent at Ayr after finishing eighth in the Cheltenham showpiece.

The situation looks bleak for Tricky Trickster, however, after he suffered a hairline fracture of a bone in his neck when falling at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

Nicholls said the eight-year-old was "in a bad way", and that "the next four or five days will be crucial".