‘He is a horse with a lot of potential’.
Alan King feels he is “just scratching the surface” with the exciting Baron Noir ahead of a likely lead in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old, owned by the Noel Fehily Racing team, beat a potential rival at the Cheltenham Festival at El Cairo when he landed a Punchestown bumper in the spring and has proved a useful operator on three hurdle races so far.
Although beaten on his jumping bow at Warwick by the well-regarded Cristal D’Estruval, he has since impressed, beating subsequent winner Bobby’s Nelson at Uttoxeter before striking under penalty at Kempton.
King now has his sights set on the Festival curtain-raiser, a race he has yet to win but came close to Medermit in 2009.
King said: “I imagine he will ride in the Supreme, he also has a mention in the Turners, but I would like to go the Supreme route with him.
“He’s probably not as battle-hardened as some of the rookies I’ve brought there – Medermit was just beaten by Go Native a few years ago and Montbazon finished fourth. He’s not as experienced as them.”
“But he is a horse with a lot of potential and I think we are only at the beginning. He is a horse that we think about a lot, but it will be a difficult question.”
“His form is right, but I wonder if he has had the required competition training. He is a horse that I hope will continue to progress regardless.”
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