Foreman handed Newbury target

Thierry Doumen expects Foreman’s next start to be in the totepool Game Spirit Chase at Newbury next month.

The French trainer wants to get another run into his horse before the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, for which he is a general 10-1 shot.

Foreman could again run into Voy Por Ustedes in the February 10 event, with the pair one-all in novice races last season before Alan King’s Voy Por Ustedes came out on top in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton last month.

Doumen has not given up hope yet and said: “Foreman is following his preparation for Cheltenham well.

“Realistically, he was misled by a loose horse at Kempton and Tony had to keep him off the rails after the last.

“He had a big blow but he could easily have been second rather than a miserable third.”

Doumen ruled Foreman out of this weekend’s Victor Chandler Chase because of his big weight in a handicap and added: “You cannot run in everything and I didn’t want to rush.

“The Game Spirit is on the map and I cannot see a reason why he wouldn’t run there – it’s a good option.”