'It's this or Wetherby' - top novice Ahoy Senor could step into open company

Talented novice chaser Ahoy Senor could take on more experienced chasers for the first time in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The seven-year-old, who finished second to Bravemansgame in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton last month, will also have the option of tackling next month's Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby.

Ahoy Senor is as short as 5-2 for the Cotswold Chase (2.30) behind Chantry House, a Grade 1 winner over fences for Nicky Henderson best-priced at 11-8, while Aye Right is prominent in the betting at 7-2.

Chantry House and Champ among big guns entered at Cheltenham

"He's in good form, better than he was before he went to Kempton," said trainer Lucinda Russell. "He'll have this option or Wetherby. We'll just wait and see as it will depend on what the weights look like with the penalties and we'll have a better idea when they are released."

On taking the step into open company, the trainer added: "He's still only a novice but we need to get some more experience into him."

Ahoy Senor is 8-1 with Paddy Power and as short as 7-1 with William Hill for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with the market headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs.

Bravemansgame (Harry Cobden): finished clear of Ahoy Senor at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

There will be eight races on Cheltenham's Trials day on Saturday after the BHA confirmed the Listed Alan Swinbank mares' bumper from last Friday's cancelled card at Market Rasen would be run at the track.

Alongside the Cotswold Chase, Cheltenham also hosts the Grade 2 Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (3.05), which could feature leading festival contender Champ, and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (3.40), the next target for Hillcrest.

There will also be ITV action from Doncaster, with the Lightning Novices' Chase (1.35) and the competitive Sky Bet Chase (3.20).

Paddy Power Cotswold Chase

Sponsors: Evens Chantry House, 5-2 Ahoy Senor, 7-2 Aye Right, 6 Simply The Betts, 7 Santini, 33 Coole Cody, 40 Ex Patriot, 66 Kauto Riko

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