Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon is considering a crack at Saturday’s William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton with Kilcooley.
Second to leading Supreme Novices’ Hurdle fancy L’Ami Serge at Newbury in November, he then ran out a wide-margin winner at Haydock in December.
The handicapper reacted by raising him 18lb to a mark of 155, which has left Longsdon contemplating looking at conditions races in the future.
“Kilcooley is now in such a difficult position with his handicap mark being 155 – he will either be top weight in a very good handicap or go down the conditions route,” he said.
“At present there are no conditions races, so we will look at either the Lanzarote this weekend or Ascot the following weekend.”
Kilcooley was partnered by Chipping Norton-based jockey Charlie Deutsch at Haydock, and the teenager came in for praise again from Longsdon after winning on Azure Fly at Newbury.
Deutsch gave the 5-1 shot an enterprising ride to come home unchallenged in a novices’ limited handicap chase over an extended two miles and six furlongs.
The six-year-old made every yard of the running, and was in total command after injecting pace into the contest running out of the back straight.
Keeping up a relentless gallop, he came home nine lengths clear of Desert Joe.
Longsdon said: “Charlie nicked five lengths turning in. It was a good front-running ride from a good lad.
“This horse has knocked on the door. The last twice we’ve decided to be brave and make it, and it’s paid off. He deserved it.”
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