Pauling has options for Barters Trainer Ben Pauling is weighing up the next plan of attack for Barters Hill following his remorseless victory in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. The winner of four bumpers, including a Grade Two event at Aintree, Pauling's stable star won as he liked on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon and was an odds-on favourite to beat just two rivals as he stepped up to Grade One level in Berkshire. His unbeaten record looked in jeopardy at the top of the home straight, but Barters Hill engaged overdrive to propel him clear and provide his trainer with a first triumph at the top level. Pauling said: "It was a bit of a fairytale end to a good year really and it was very exciting to see him win the way he did. With a small field, I was kind of thinking he might get the job done without being that impressive. "He's not a flashy horse, but after the way he went again from the third-last and put distance between himself and the others, I was absolutely thrilled." Considering upcoming opportunities, the trainer added: "There's the Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick. That will probably come too soon, but with the way he's come out of the race, I'm not sure. That would probably be the least likely option. "Then there's the Neptune trial at Cheltenham on January 30, there's an Albert Bartlett trial at Doncaster on the same day and the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon, so it will be one of those three I think." Pauling is in no rush to decide whether the Neptune or the longer Albert Bartlett will be his Festival target, but is still leaning towards the latter. He said: "If we go for the Neptune trial it doesn't mean we'll end up in the Neptune itself and vice versa. "He's not devoid of speed, but he does gallop and stay very well, so as I said the other day, if we get normal Cheltenham ground he'll probably end up in the Albert Bartlett, but we'll see nearer the time. "We're just going to enjoy the moment for now."
