Greatrex considering Grade One return for Keeper Hill

Trainer Warren Greatrex is considering a return to Grade One action for Keeper Hill, who is in entered in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Lambourn handler is yet to fully decide which route he will take the eight-year-old down at the Festival, as he is also qualified for the Pertemps Final after his victory at Warwick earlier this month.

The McNeill Family-owned gelding has fallen off the radar a little bit after he ended last season with three successive non-completions, but his form so far this term has encouraged Greatrex, who is now looking to return him to Grade One company.

Greatrex admits he is likely to make an informed decision after Keeper Hill’s next run, which is scheduled to come in the Grade Three Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on February 2.

“He has got a Stayers’ Hurdle entry, but he may well head to Sandown on February 2 for a £100,000 race there first – and that will tell us a lot more,” Greatrex was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“If he went and won that off 144 he would be around the area that he would be competitive in a Stayers’ Hurdle. If he didn’t, he is qualified for the Pertemps -and we could look at that.”