Vercingetorix plan Vercingetorix is on course for the Gala Retail Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 8. The Grade One event, used by the ill-fated Our Conor as a stepping stone to Triumph Hurdle glory two years ago, brings the best youngsters in Ireland together before Cheltenham. It was hard not to be impressed by the former Andre Fabre inmate, who is now in training with Gordon Elliott, when he made a winning hurdling debut at Limerick over Christmas. He is yet another smart four-year-old owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who also have current Triumph Hurdle favourite Peace And Co, as well as Bristol De Mai and Top Notch. "He'll run in the Grade One on February 8," said Anthony Bromley, the owners' racing manager. "There are very few options in Ireland once you have won, you are almost forced to go straight into Grade Ones. "After he's run we'll see where he fits in with the others. They don't all have to go to Cheltenham, there's Aintree and Punchestown, too. "We'll know a lot more in the next few weeks."
