Penzance set for handicap debut

Penzance is likely to begin his second season over hurdles in a limited handicap before tackling stronger opposition in open company.

The four-year-old was unbeaten in four starts over timber last season culminating in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

And Alan King’s charge is already as low as 20-1 with leading bookmakers Ladbrokes and totesport for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle next March.

“He’s enjoying his summer holidays out in a field and he is good at being the boss which is not bad for a four-year-old,” said Elite Racing Club racing manager Matthew Budden.

“We will probably start him off in a limited handicap such as the Gerry Feilden or the Elite Hurdle and not go straight into open company.

“We’ll try and make it a natural progression into those races.

“Five-year-olds don’t have a great record in the Champion Hurdle but there are exceptions to the rule.”

The last five-year-old to win the Cheltenham showpiece was See You Then in 1985 and he went on to win the race three years running.