World ambitions for Luska Lad

Luska Lad could set up a crack at Big Buck’s with a good run in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on January 20.

Trainer John Hanlon is keen to head to Cheltenham for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle if the durable seven-year-old can prove his stamina over three miles.

Luska Lad finished only two lengths behind Hurricane Fly in the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown and then narrowly failed to carry a huge weight to victory at Punchestown just two days later.

“He’s a star. He gives everything everyday,” said Hanlon.

“He was going up a good bit in the handicap so I thought we’d take 7lb off him and he was unlucky as he pecked at the last at Punchestown.

“He was beaten in the last stride. He’s as tough as nails but he’s come out of it well and we’ll probably go for the three-mile Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.

“I only ran him over two-and-a-half once before the other day but he got that well and I was talking to Davy Russell who said the further he goes the better he’ll be.

“I don’t want to take on Solwhit and Hurricane Fly again so I don’t have many options. It could be a good opportunity for him.

“The reason I want to go down this route is because I want to go for one of the staying races with him at Cheltenham.

“He has no problem going left-handed now. He had a bit of work done on him and he ran the best race of his life against Hurricane Fly the other day going the way.”