Betdaq Chase winner Master Dee likely to miss the Cheltenham Festival
Fergal O'Brien will aim cosy Kempton winner Master Dee at Aintree, with a trip to the Cheltenham Festival considered "very unlikely".
MASTER DEE is "very unlikely" to run at the Cheltenham Festival, despite his clear-cut success in the Betdaq Handicap Chase at Kempton yesterday.
Under a fine ride from first-time partner Barry Geraghty, the nine-year-old powered clear in the closing stages of the £100,000 race.
Master Dee has an entry in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, his trainer Fergal O'Brien is minded to keep him to flat tracks with the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree high on the agenda.
"Barry showed why he's one of the top riders, he never panicked, he got Master Dee into a rhythm with his jumping and he crept into the race," O'Brien told Racing UK's Luck On Sunday programme.
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"It's always easy to say "what a great ride" when they win a big pot but it was a very good ride. He had a very willing partner.
"The ground dried out to suit us a little bit, it (soft ground) was always a worry, that was why he didn't go to Ascot last week, and it was our day.
"He's never been out of the first three, even when it's not gone his way he's still managed to be second or third, he's a joy to train.
Templegate's Treble
NAP 3.20 Fontwell - Old Guard: 'Has won twice this season and this is probably his perfect trip these days'
NEXT BEST 2.50 Fontwell - The Last But One: 'Hit the target on his chase debut and he should follow up'
TREBLE 4.35 Southwell - Abbey Street: 'Chased home a well-weighted rival on his first handicap run and the step up in trip should help today'
"It's very unlikely, Cheltenham. Barry said it probably wouldn't suit him going up and down hills, all his best runs are on flat tracks.
"Hopefully we'll go to Aintree for maybe the Topham, something like that. He's run well at Aintree before and hopefully he can go forward from yesterday."