CHELTENHAM NEWS

Cheltenham next for Imperial Alcazar

Trainer Fergal O’Brien says Imperial Alcazar will head straight to Cheltenham after winning at Warwick last month.

O’Brien’s seven-year-old claimed a two-and-a-half length win in a qualifier for the Pertemps Final at Warwick in January.

Imperial Alcazar is widely considered as the second favourite for that race at the Cheltenham Festival, behind The Bosses Oscar, by most bookmakers but he also holds an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

However, O’Brien has all-but ruled out a tilt at the Stayers’ for Imperial Alcazar and, in any case, he says his charge won’t be contesting any further races before Festival.

“He’s in good form and goes for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham now, all being well,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“He runs well fresh, so he’ll go straight there without another run in between.”

The Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday, March 16th, with the Pertemps Final due to take place on Thursday the 18th.

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