Somersby was an impressive winner at Sandown on Saturday. (credit: james_jhs)
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Henrietta Knight has admitted she will use Somersby sparingly this season, as she prepares the horse for a tilt at the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham next March.
After the five-year-old’s impressive performance in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday (where he beat odds-on favourite and Arkle fancy Crack Away Jack), Tony McCoy’s mount was slashed to 9/1 for the Cheltenham showpiece.
"He won't run over Christmas and the New Year but there are several opportunities to get another race or two into him ahead of Cheltenham,” explained Knight.
"I haven't sat down and gone through the programme book but it won't matter whether it's right or left-handed as he's proved he goes both ways.
"Tony didn't say too much afterwards as he had to rush off to ride one in the next race but I could tell he was delighted.
"This is a real striking type of horse and I wouldn't mind if he had just one run before the Arkle, but we'll see."
To see the market for the 2010 Arkle Trophy and to get a free bet on the race, follow this link to leading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power.
