Pipe mulls Ashkazar options

Plans are fluid for David Pipe’s Champion Hurdle hope Ashkazar after he missed his intended seasonal reappearance in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Pipe was not happy with the four-year-old’s blood after a sample was taken yesterday and he may now throw him in at the deep end in next month’s Boylesports Hurdle.

“I had a look at his blood last night when I got home and it wasn’t in the normal range so I decided not to run him,” said Pipe.

“He’s a very good horse and it is a long season ahead so there will be other days.

“I had no idea there was anything wrong with him and I thought the last two work mornings were the best he had done.

“We’ll re-test him next week and see how he is and looking ahead, there is a big handicap at Ascot or the Boylesports back here next month but that is a big step up.”