Shakespeare In Top Form

Royal Shakespeare will stay hurdling at the highest level before connections consider him for a possible chasing career.

Steve Gollings´ six-year-old gained a deserved success in the Grade Two totesport.com Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday - his first outing over timber since May.

The King´s Theatre gelding, who ran out a one-and-a-half-length winner from Intersky Falcon, will now be primed for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.

'He´s sound and there´s not a mark on him - he seems 100 per cent,' reported Gollings.

'I was very happy with the way he ran but it´s probably more of a relief than anything.

'It´s a good start for us and I´m sure there´s more improvement to come.'

Although Gollings believes the handicapper may now begin to take a hold, he will keep Royal Shakespeare to the top hurdling events for now.

'I´m sure the handicapper will get stuck in but I don´t think we´ve seen the best of him,' he added.

'We will monitor his progress over hurdles and if we don´t feel he can cut it with the best of them, we will then think about novice chasing.

'Before that I think he´ll run a cracking race at Cheltenham.

'If we can get slightly better ground than we encountered at Wincanton I think he´d have a great chance.'

(C) PA Sport