Mick Winters plotting ambitious Cheltenham route with Chatham Street Lad

Mick Winters is counting down to a date with Allaho in the Ryanair Chase for his stable star Chatham Street Lad, who has seemingly recovered well from an injury sustained when third in the Betfair Chase.

A ready 15-length winner over the ill-fated Midnight Shadow in last season's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, the classy ten-year-old could warm up for his Cheltenham Festival bid in either the Red Mills Trial Hurdle or Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on February 19, or else wait for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan a day later.

Winters said: "He seemed to land on the birch of the ditch at Haydock and cut skin halfway down from the knee to the joint, but it stopped above the joint and it was just a matter of stitching. Everything seemed very good afterwards and we've had no setback with him since.

"I'd imagine we could go to Gowran or Navan next, but we'll keep an eye on the entries. I'm very happy with him. He takes a lot of work, but I think we're more on top of things with him this time."

Chatham Street Lad (second from left): finished a respectable fourth in last season's Marsh Novices' ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He added: "The Ryanair would be my preference if we were to run at Cheltenham. He loves a rolling track and if he reproduced something like his first run there [in the Caspian Caviar], it'd be great. Even in last year's Marsh he was just three lengths off Asterion Forlonge when fourth to Chantry House."

Chatham Street Lad is priced between 33-1 and 50-1 for the Ryanair and also holds an entry for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he is available at 100-1.

Chatham Street Lad was also handed an entry on Tuesday for the Randox Grand National although the 2m5f Randox Topham Handicap Chase could ultimately prove the preferred target at Aintree in April.

Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Ryanair: potential runners and a long-range shout

Winters said of the Vivian Healy-owned performer: "We'll see what the owners think, but I'd have thought he'd enjoy a race like the Topham should he end up there. He's very clever and would look suited to that in terms of distance.

"I'd be a bit apprehensive in terms of the trip for the National, because while he does stay, you can often need to be a real tough stayer to keep grinding away there. I suppose you could make the argument that Aintree horses like Crisp were better over shorter distances, too, but we'll see how it all unfolds."

Ryanair Chase (2.50 Cheltenham, March 17)

bet365: 5-4 Allaho, 9-4 Energumene, 10 Saint Calvados, Asterion Forlonge, 11 Mister Fisher, Tornado Flyer, 12 Envoi Allen, 14 bar

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