Ennis set for festival prep

Eddie Harty plans to give Siege Of Ennis a second outing over hurdles before Cheltenham.

The four-year-old had been a frustrating performer on the Flat but made a pleasing debut over jumps when taking a 25-runner maiden hurdle by four lengths from Emotional Melody at Leopardstown last Sunday.

He is set to run in either the JCB Triumph Hurdle or the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the Festival.

“He’s a horse who likes to come from behind and he likes to get his toe into the ground,” said Harty.

“That’s what he did on Sunday and what was pleasing is that he beat older horses. Once he was given the office two furlongs out, he put the issue beyond doubt very quickly.

“The plan for him is one more run and then go to Cheltenham. He may not beat Franchoek in the Triumph but he’s good enough to have a shot in it.

“He’ll have a back-up entry in the Fred Winter as well. He jumps very well and that’s how he got himself into the race at Cheltenham.

“At this stage I wouldn’t go overboard backing him in either ante-post,” the trainer told At The Races.