Barton ready for weekend return
It had initially been feared the 10-year-old, trained at Malton by Tim Easterby, would miss the whole of this season after suffering a foot problem in the autumn.
However, the Stanley Clarke-owned gelding is reported to have recovered well and could have a crack at the three mile event on January 18.
“Tim is on a skiing holiday at the moment but Peter (trainer’s father)) rang me the other day and he does not do that very often,” Clarke said.
“Barton is in top form and they are talking about the Peter Marsh. The Gold Cup is the target.
“The Easterby’s have always been cautious with him but he has responded well to the treatment he has been given by Elizabeth Young.”
Barton was a top-class hurdler for Clarke before switching to fences in 2001.
He enjoyed some success over the bigger obstacles taking both the Dipper Novices’ Chase at Newcastle and the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April.
Clarke is now looking forward to tackling the big prizes with his star, and is aiming for a good run in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
“He’s galloping again and I would love to have a crack at Best Mate in the Gold Cup. Don’t forget he beat him 14 lengths at Liverpool (in the 2001 Martell Aintree Hurdle).”
