Shakespeare in top form

Royal Shakespeare will stay hurdling at the highest level before connections consider him for a possible chasing career.

Steve Gollings’ six-year-old gained a deserved success in the Grade Two totesport.com Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday – his first outing over timber since May.

The King’s Theatre gelding, who ran out a one-and-a-half-length winner from Intersky Falcon, will now be primed for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham next weekend.

“He’s sound and there’s not a mark on him – he seems 100 per cent,” reported Gollings.

“I was very happy with the way he ran but it’s probably more of a relief than anything.

“It’s a good start for us and I’m sure there’s more improvement to come.”

Although Gollings believes the handicapper may now begin to take a hold, he will keep Royal Shakespeare to the top hurdling events for now.

“I’m sure the handicapper will get stuck in but I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him,” he added.

“We will monitor his progress over hurdles and if we don’t feel he can cut it with the best of them, we will then think about novice chasing.

“Before that I think he’ll run a cracking race at Cheltenham.

“If we can get slightly better ground than we encountered at Wincanton I think he’d have a great chance.”