Long Distance Hurdle aim for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ high-class stayer Wholestone
The classy seven-year-old made a winning reappearance over 2m4f at Aintree on Saturday
WHOLESTONE will have his sights raised by Nigel Twiston-Davies on his next outing.
The hard-as-nails stayer will be aimed at the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on 30 November.
The seven-year-old made a winning return to action over 2m4f at Aintree on Saturday.
A three-time Grade 2 winner, the gelding flopped when finishing last of six runners in the Newbury contest last season.
However, the horse is in better shape this time around and connections are hoping he can earn a tilt at the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle next month.
Anthony Bromley, bloodstock adviser to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: "We were thrilled to bits with him.
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"The plan now is to go for the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. The idea is to head to Newbury, then if he is good enough go for the Long Walk at Ascot near Christmas.
"A lot of the staying novice hurdlers from last year are going novice chasing, and it is the same old characters that remain in this division.
"There is no desire to go novice chasing with him, and we plan to keep going over hurdles.
"He has won a Relkeel Hurdle, so I thought the two-and-a-half (miles) at Aintree was a good starting point, against a lot of three-mile hurdlers.
"He will strip a lot fitter for that, and Nigel said he will improve for that run."