O'Neill hoping to rekindle Foreman spark

Former top novice chaser Foreman is to make his debut for Jonjo O’Neill in the Blue Square Mobile Handicap Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The 11-year-old is in the evening of his career, with owner JP McManus hoping a switch of stables will invigorate him in his new surroundings at Jackdaws Castle.

O’Neill said: “Charlie Swan had him and JP has sent him to me. He seems in grand old form, but off his mark of 156 life is always going to be tough and there aren’t many opportunities for him.”

Foreman, who won the two-mile novice chase at Aintree in 2006, last ran for Swan at Killarney in May.

A field of 12 has been declared for the Sandown race, although the card, which also features the Tolworth Hurdle, needs to survive an 8am inspection on raceday.

Meanwhile, O’Neill is keen to give Albertas Run one more outing before the Gold Cup, stating his delight at how well the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding has taken his Kempton exertions, when second to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

The trainer added: “Albertas just stays and he wants good ground. He’ll be entered for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham later in the month as well as the Aon Chase at Newbury and the Irish Hennessy.

“The only thing about Ireland is that you wouldn’t know what the ground would be like.”

Wichita Lineman missed an opportunity for more experience when Warwick was called off on Wednesday but O’Neill is pleased with him.

He concluded: “All he does is jump and stay, and his target is the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival.”