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National Hunt Chase ‘possible target’ for McManus novice

OK Corral is expected to have another run next month in the hope of confirming his place at the Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, was cut to as low as 3-1 favourite for the four-mile National Hunt Chase after taking his unbeaten record over fences to two with a convincing display in the Listed Hampton Court Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

“He put up a good performance, jumped well and did it nicely,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.

“He’ll probably have another run in early February. The four-miler at Cheltenham is a possible target – it depends how he gets on in his next run.”

However, one horse who will not be representing McManus at Cheltenham in March is Great Field.

The eight-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, is still sore following a tumble in the Grade One Paddy’s Rewards Club ‘Sugar Paddy’ Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and has been ruled out of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He got a hard old fall at Leopardstown, and he’s still a bit sore, so he won’t be running at Cheltenham,” said Berry.