Trainer Robert Stephens says he is feeling confident about Beltor‘s chances as connections target the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
The six-year-old is yet to race in 2017 but Stephens believes there are lots of reasons to feel positive ahead of the event on February 11.
Beltor looked a strong juvenile hurdler in the 2014-15 season, claiming victories in the G2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park, while he was also sixth in the G1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The gelding struggled for form last season but looked much more like his old self on December 7 after winning a two-mile handicap at Kempton Park, before coming home third at the same venue on December 27.
Stephens is now hopeful of a strong performance at Newbury and feels his weight could play a key part on the day.
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“The Betfair Hurdle is the aim for Beltor.? Stephens said.
“I was very pleased with his run at Kempton over Christmas. I felt that he jumped the last pretty slow and, as the run-in at Kempton is very short, he just couldn’t get back going again.
“I think if he had winged the last, he would have taken some beating although the J P McManus horse (Drumcliff, who stumbled badly two out) was obviously unlucky as well.
“The main thing with Beltor is that when he won on the Flat at Kempton, he stayed on very well. I feel he is coming back to himself a bit now.
“He got injured when he ran in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last season and subsequently had surgery on his knee.
“The flat track and nice long run-in at Newbury should suit Beltor and he has a nice weight as well. I want to try him in a nice handicap with a good racing weight.”
