'He's in perfect order' - Ga Law set for Doncaster date as Ascot target is lost

Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Ga Law will step up to three miles for the first time in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster next weekend, with his initial target at Ascot on Saturday scrapped due to the cold snap.

The seven-year-old has not been seen since his three-quarter-length win at Cheltenham in November and had been aimed at the £100,000 bet365 Handicap Chase at the Berkshire track for his return.

However, after Ascot's card was cancelled on Thursday, trainer Jamie Snowden is eyeing Doncaster's flagship jumps contest a week on Saturday for his stable star, for which he is a 12-1 chance with the race sponsors.

Snowden said: "He's in perfect order. After the Paddy Power we were very conscious he'd had two quick runs after a year off so we gave him a moment to get over that and have a crack at big prizes through the spring.

"Plans were to run at Ascot on Saturday, but the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster next week is now the plan.

"We're very keen to get him up in trip. He won the Paddy Power through stamina and was outpaced early, but stayed on so strongly. Ascot would have been the next stepping stone, but the Sky Bet is the best alternative."

Ga Law (centre) is a determined winner of the Paddy PowerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Owned by the Footie Partnership, which was set up by five members when their friend Nick Foot died of cancer in 2017, Ga Law's long-term target is the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

While he has been entered in that race this year, a tilt at the Ryanair in March could be on the cards if he continues to thrive.

"We'll take it one step at time as we have various steps we can take. We were thinking about the Denman Chase, too, but it'll come too close to Doncaster," Snowden added. "It all depends on where we can get runs at the moment.

"We're in the Ryanair, but we've still got to prove ourselves to be thinking about it this season. We've got the entries in there if it goes to plan by winning at Doncaster and wherever else in February, then he does have the option of the Ryanair.

"The lads always used to go to Cheltenham together and they set the syndicate up with the hope of winning a big race there. It's all been a dream come true so far and hopefully it doesn't stop."

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