La Bague Au Roi to take aim at Ireland's best for in-form Greatrex

In-form Warren Greatrex has his eyes on the Dublin Racing Festival for La Bague Au Roi, the warmest property in his yard.

Another victory on Tuesday made it ten wins from 25 winners for the Lambourn-based trainer who hopes the streak can continue through to the Grade 1 Flogas Novices' Chase at Leopardstown on February 3.

La Bague Au Roi made it three from three over fences in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day and Greatrex said: "The Flogas is the plan for her and it's another chance for a Grade 1.

"I think Leopardstown will suit her very well, as a back-up we will enter her in the Scilly Isles [Sandown, February 2] but that will only be in case of travelling issues. She seems to be, physically, the finished article but I still think there is better to come.

"It's been great. The horses have been healthy all season, everyone has been working very hard in the yard and it is great to see that rewarded.

"We had four doubles last week, they are in great nick and it is a great time to be hitting form. Hopefully it can continue for the next few months."

La Bague Au Roi was on Tuesday a top-priced 2-1 behind favourite Delta Work for her Leopardstown assignment, and 8-1 for the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Greatrex said: "She will have entries in the JLT and the RSA, the JLT is the preference. We will get Ireland out of the way first, I have always said Cheltenham is not her track but things can change.

"I think the owners would love to have a go at Cheltenham, but we will make a plan after Ireland. At this stage I think she's more likely to go to Aintree, but nothing is decided."

Greatrex is already assembling his best team yet for the festival with an emphasis on quality over quantity. He added: "We won't have loads of horses going to Cheltenham but hopefully they'll all go there with good chances.

"Western Ryder had been running very well. I think the County Hurdle is the preferred choice. I'll check a few things over, I think he ran below his best on Saturday [third in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock] and I think he's better than that. I'd hope he has a big run in him at Cheltenham.

"Keeper Hill is a horse I have a lot of time for and it was great to see him win last time. He will probably go to the Pertemps but is entered in the Stayers' Hurdle as well.

"He's going to run at Sandown on February 2 and if he won that he would be a 150 horse and we could look at the Stayers' Hurdle more seriously. It's good to have him back, he loves Cheltenham and I think he is getting better with each run.

"I like Jammin Masters and he could run in the four-miler, a race we have done well in before [Missed Approach second in 2017]. We also have Bailarico entered in the River Don up at Doncaster on Saturday. He could head to the Albert Bartlett."

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