Group Considered For Huntingdon Prep

Group Captain is set to warm up for a crack at the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham with a spin at Huntingdon on February 21.

Connections of the six-year-old, who has been the subject of continued ante-post support ahead of the Festival, pinpointed the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle as his likely preparatory target.

'From the early days the boy was a bit of a natural jumper, and I said to Alan (King) that if we got to Cheltenham it would be brilliant,' said owner Peter Webb.

'I spoke to him (on Tuesday) and he said there are a couple of little races around but we should go for the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon.

'He's a lovely horse and I just thought, if he could keep focus, that he'd love the hurdling as there's lots going on.'

Group Captain was formerly a smart performer on the level but Webb feels his stamina makes the Ballymore the obvious race to go for in March.

'If he shows us that turn of foot up the Cheltenham hill it would be fantastic,' he told At The Races.

'He'll be put in the Supreme Novices' as well but we think he goes better with a trip.

'He hasn't really been tested yet and in a truer-run race we'll find out all about his qualities.

'He does stay strongly and there aren't many hurdlers with the turn of foot that he's got from the Flat.'

(C) PA Sport