Southwell option for Don't Push It

Don’t Push It could run in the Sky Bet Press Red To Bet On ATR Novices’ Chase at Southwell on Saturday as connections ponder his Cheltenham Festival target.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old gave Royal & SunAlliance Chase favourite Denman a fight earlier in the season and went one better when a winner over two miles and five furlongs last month.

However, trainer Jonjo O’Neill is keen to try the Old Vic gelding over the minimum trip to see if he possesses the speed for a crack at the Irish Independent Arkle Chase.

The trainer said: “He is in at Southwell and I am keen to try him over two miles to see whether we go for the Arkle or the SunAlliance.

“There are a few other options in the coming weeks and he could go to Warwick for the Kingmaker next month.”