Desert in quest for Novices' Hurdle at Aintree

Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle winner Desert Quest is likely to be upped in class at Aintree next week where he could have a crack at the Grade Two John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

The six-year-old has had a productive first season over hurdles winning five of his nine starts, culminating with his cosy success at the Cheltenham Festival.

And according to Nicholls, the former David Loder inmate has not stopped improving yet.

“I think Desert Quest is improving enormously,” he said. “He wouldn’t want it too soft and he will probably run in the two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle at Aintree.

“He has gone up to 144 in the handicap now so while he still qualifies for novices we may as well take that route with him. If he doesn’t go for that he will go to Punchestown or Ayr.

“He has really surprised me and he could be an interesting horse next season.

“I think the better the race he runs in the more it will suit him.

“A good summer out this year will do him the world of good and he is definitely going the right way.” Nicholls told At The Races.

The Ditcheat handler also confirmed that star novice hurdlers Noland and Denman were finished for the season.

“Denman and Noland will both be schooled over fences by Ruby Walsh on Thursday but that will be it for the season for them and they will go on holiday before going novice chasing in the autumn,” he said.

“They are obviously Cheltenham horses so there is no point rushing and they both need decent ground.”