Bartlett assignment for Road To Riches
The six-year-old claimed a bumper in October and has won twice over hurdles, including his most recent start in a Grade Three event at Cork in early December.
He also holds an entry in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle but Meade confirmed it would be the longer race for Road To Riches.
““We decided he could go straight to Cheltenham without another run and it will be the three-miler,” said Meade.
Meade also revealed that recent JP McManus purchase Owen Mc was unlikely to head for the Cheltenham bumper.
“We’ve got no specific plan for Owen Mc but I don’t think he’ll go to Cheltenham. There’s a possibility he may go to Punchestown,” said Meade.
nJockey Paddy Brennan believes Khyber Kim could be a “lively outsider” for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.
Now an 11-year-old, owner Caroline Mould has sent the 2010 Champion Hurdle runner-up back to Nicky Henderson after he lost his way with Nigel Twiston-Davies.
But on Saturday he showed the ability remains when finishing second to Zarkandar in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton under Brennan on his first start for nearly two years.
“Mr Henderson did exceptionally well to get him back in that sort of form and I was over the moon with him,” said Brennan.
“He’ll improve an awful lot and his jumping will get slicker.
“He loves Cheltenham so he’s a lively outsider for the Champion Hurdle and he might just be placed.
*BBC Radio 5 Live have signalled their continued commitment to racing by announcing they are to broadcast all 27 races at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jump racing’s premier Festival will be the first big meeting the station will cover after agreeing a new four-year contract with the Racecourse Media Group.
