Afsoun Haydock-bound

Afsoun will bid to make amends for falling last time out when he lines up in the bonusprint.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday week.

Nicky Henderson’s charge was sent off the second-favourite for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton after winning a Listed event on his seasonal bow.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle fifth was still travelling well in the Grade One contest when he took an unlucky tumble at the fifth flight.

Henderson reports Afsoun to be none the worse for that mishap and is looking forward to getting the five-year-old back on track.

He said: “He is fine after taking a fall last time – absolutely 100 per cent - and it was unfortunate at Kempton. He just reached for it a bit, but he is fine now.

“We’re not sure if he handles heavy going as he has not run on it before, and that would be a slight worry, but he handles soft ground well.”

Henderson is unsure if Afsoun will develop into a Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle hope and he also has an eye on the totesport Trophy at Newbury on February 10.

“As far as future targets go, we’ll cross one bridge at a time – the Champion Hurdle may be an option, but he could also go for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury,” he added.