Ground to determine De Soto bid

Paul Webber is keeping an eye on the Totesport Trophy for De Soto as long as conditions are suitable at Newbury on February 10.

The Banbury trainer is keen to avoid testing ground for the son of Hernando after he could only finish fourth behind Silver burn in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month.

“We thought it was a worthwhile risk trying him on that ground, which was pretty desperate that day,” said Webber.

“It was important to find out early enough in case it didn’t work to give him time to recover – and it didn't work.

“The horse has got plenty of speed, so the ground is obviously important to him.

“He’s in the totesport Trophy and has got 10st 4lb at the moment, but it will just be the case of the ground.

“He’s come out of his last race really well, he’s had a good cantering week so we’ll keep Newbury in our minds,” he told At The Races.

De Soto, 16-1 with the sponsors for the valuable handicap hurdle, had looked a smart novice when winning at Taunton and Kempton in December.