Beethoven set for Chepstow

Beethoven will aim to hit the right note on his seasonal debut in the ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Chepstow on Saturday.

“He’s a definite runner at this stage and he’s in excellent shape,” said trainer Noel Chance today.

The six-year-old’s future lies over fences but Chance believes there are prizes to be won over hurdles before sending the Yashgan gelding over the bigger obstacles.

“We’ll play it by ear. He’s pretty well unexposed over hurdles. There’s plenty of good prizes – the one at Chepstow is worth £25,000 and there’s one worth that much every Saturday over hurdles,” added the Upper Lambourn handler.

“We’re not in a hurry to go fencing with him just yet.”

Beethoven looked a smart prospect when opening his account over hurdles at Ascot last December when he was a length and a quarter winner from Chauvinist, who won in good style at Newbury last Friday.