Quito De La Roque, who recorded his third Grade 2 victory over fences this season at Aintree last Friday, is reported in fine fettle by trainer Colm Murphy and could bid for Grade 1 glory at the Punchestown Festival next month.

The Gigginstown-owned seven-year-old showed a liking for testing ground when grinding out Grade 2 wins over three miles at Naas and Navan earlier this year but coped with much quicker conditions when just getting the better of outsider Sarando by a neck in the John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase.

“He's come out of the race well, and handled the ground okay. But it was genuine good ground, and we are mindful that we want to have a horse for the future. He does handle soft ground much better than most horses,” said the Wexford handler.

Murphy added: “He will get an entry in the Growise Champion Novice Chase (3m1f) at Punchestown, and we will see what the weather does. I'll have to talk it over with the owner to see if we will run.”

Alan Magee