3.25 Gowran Park: 'He's made really good progress' - Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard begins life over fences

Willie Mullins has had to be patient with Sir Gerhard but last year's impressive Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner makes his belated debut over fences and could shorten even further for the Turners' Novices' Chase at Cheltenham with a slick round of jumping in the 2m beginners' chase.

There has been a surge of support for Sir Gerhard in the 2m4f Turners rather than the Arkle over two miles in the last week and he is as short as 4-1 with William Hill for the festival prize. The biggest price available is 7-1 with bet365.

Asked why he had decided to send Sir Gerhard over fences so late in the season, Mullins replied: "We can always go back over hurdles if things don't go well but we just said we'd take our chance and see how he gets on over fences. He's schooled well and I've been happy with his jumping."

It was reported earlier in the season Sir Gerhard might not even make Cheltenham but Mullins has been delighted with the eight-year-old over the last few weeks. He said: "He's made really good progress, which is great to see, and he's ready to start back. Everything has gone well for him over the last little while and hopefully everything will go well for him in the race too."

Sir Gerhard only faces two rivals but among them is the talented but quirky Largy Debut, who has finished third to Mighty Potter, Minella Crooner and Gentlemansgame in his three starts over fences. The same team of owner Chris Jones, Henry de Bromhead and Blackmore won the race year last with Coeur Sublime.

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