Hoh Viss set for Uttoxeter assignment

Charlie Mann hopes to run promising gelding Hoh Viss in handicap company ahead of the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Fresh from an authoritative success at Southwell, the six-year-old delighted Mann in a workout earlier this week.

“There’s a valuable handicap over two and a half miles back at Uttoxeter this Saturday week and that is the plan,” explained the Upper Lambourn handler.

“They raised him 7lb for Southwell, but he’ll be competing of 127 and if there’s soft ground, he will always be a player.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed we’ll have some cut in the ground at Cheltenham, but you need luck for that to happen.”

Meanwhile, Mann has decided to give Cheltenham Gold Cup entry Keltic Bard a racecourse gallop rather than another race following his encouraging return to action when third in the Sky Bet Chase at Southwell.

“The plan is to take him to Newbury and work him there on March 5,” added Mann.

“His Festival target is the William Hill Handicap Chase on the first day.”