Halo aims to continue Stewart run

Owner Andy Stewart is aiming to land the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle for the fifth consecutive year at Newbury on Saturday, with Celestial Halo standing in for the sidelined Big Buck's.

The incredible four-times World Hurdle winner won this Grade Two prize for the fourth consecutive season 12 months ago and looked all set to dominate the staying hurdling division once again.

However, he was soon ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury and is unlikely return to competitive action until the new year, giving his rivals a chance to lay down an early marker this weekend.

While not in the same class as his outstanding stable companion, Celestial Halo did his connections proud last term, chasing home Solwhit in the World Hurdle before clinching a Grade Two prize in France.

He faces a formidable challenger in the shape of At Fishers Cross, and Stewart will be keen to see how the latter fares given he currently disputes favouritism with Big Buck's for the World Hurdle in March.

Stewart said: "Celestial Halo is fine and ready to run. We had Salubrious entered as well, but that was just in case something happened to Celestial. Hopefully, Salubrious will go to Ascot for the Long Walk.

"At Fishers Cross is odds-on and Celestial Halo is 5/1. I think that just about sums it up, but he won't be lacking in fitness, old Celestial. At Fishers Cross is a young horse who is improving. He won Grade Ones at Cheltenham and Aintree, which is never easy, so you have to give him respect.

"Hopefully we can give Mr (JP) McManus (owner of At Fishers Cross) a run for his money."

The Rebecca Curtis-trained At Fishers Cross enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season, winning each of his five starts including triumphs at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the spring.

His comeback has been delayed after a cut leg forced him to miss an intended outing at Wetherby, but Curtis is confident her stable star is better than ever.

"He came back really good after his summer break and hopefully he'll just keep going along now. He's come back a bit stronger and seems to have as much ability as last year. He's been schooling well and working well so we'd be very hopeful of him," Curtis told At The Races.

"He seems to like Newbury - he won a handicap there over a trip a lot shorter than his best. The big galloping track should suit him. We just hope the ground stays on the softish side as we know he loves soft ground.

"He did win at Aintree on slightly quicker ground so it shouldn't be a problem. He's got age on his side so I just hope he keeps on improving. You'd like to think the World Hurdle would be the aim.

"He'd have to prove himself in these races against the older horses in Grade One company but I'd like to think he'd be good enough to go down that route.

"The plan would be the Long Walk at Ascot and we've also given him an entry in the Christmas Hurdle in Leopardstown just in case he doesn't go to Ascot."

With regular partner Tony McCoy heading to Newcastle to partner McManus' My Tent Or Yours in the Fighting Fifth, Barry Geraghty will get the leg up on At Fishers Cross.

He said: "He looks very straightforward and I've had a chat with AP. He was telling me all the dos and don'ts and there wasn't too many don'ts. The day he beat The New One at Cheltenham was when he was very impressive - given what The New One has gone on to do - and he just always seems to find when he needs it, he looks to have a great attitude.

"He's definitely a World Hurdle contender, it will be interesting when Big Buck's is back but At Fishers Cross is the one, you'd imagine, who will give him most to do."

Reve De Sivola chased home Big Buck's in this race 12 months ago before going on to clinch Grade One glory in the Long Walk.

The Nick Williams-trained gelding returns to Newbury in top form judged on his second Grade One victory in France at the start of the month, where he came from the clouds for a famous success.

Owner Paul Duffy said: "He's obviously up against it with At Fishers Cross, but he's fit and has recovered well from his French journey so we are going to give him a go like we did last year.

"I'm sure he'll acquit himself well - he always does, he always tries. You don't know until the day what will happen. He's an experienced horse and he's won round Newbury before. At Fishers Cross is a hot favourite and obviously on paper with the weight allowance you'd think he's got that favourite's chance.

"We're going to give it a go and we are hoping to go to the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot afterwards the same as last year, so we take our chance.

"He ran well in this race last year and came through to get second behind Big Buck's. When a horse is fit like he is you want to give him a run.

"If it was softer it would inconvenience other horses more, but if it's got soft in it he'll go through it. It's just how the others go through it relevant to him. We know heavier going would suit him better, but he'll go through it on Saturday OK."

Medinas shaped encouragingly when only beaten a length by Tidal Bay in the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby on his reappearance, but his trainer Alan King accepts this race represents an even stiffer test.

"I was obviously very pleased with his second to Tidal Bay at Wetherby, which was a cracking run," the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk. "I expect this will be even tougher, with At Fishers Cross and so on, but this is the sort of race he has to run in now."

The quintet is completed by Battle Group, who reverts to the smaller obstacles after being pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

"We're giving him a spin over hurdles to get his confidence back after his run in the Paddy Power," said trainer Johnny Farrelly.