Montalcino steps up in class Smart novice Montalcino is set to take on fully-fledged hurdlers, it was revealed today. The Venetia Williams-trained five-year-old, a useful performer on the Flat for Peter Makin, has won both his starts over timber in good style including the Martell Mersey Novices` Hurdle at Aintree last Friday. 'Likely plans are either the Scottish Champion Hurdle or the Sandown Champion Hurdle race (The Coral Eurobet Championship Hurdle) at the end of the month. After that he`ll have a break,' said Mark Gichero for the gelding`s owners The Winning Line. 'He could have just one run on the Flat possibly in the Ebor or the Irish St Leger and we are still thinking about the Melbourne Cup. 'We always knew he was a decent horse and he seems to be improving.'
