Jewson aim for classy Load

Loosen My Load will head straight for the inaugural running of the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old was last seen finishing fourth over an inadequate two miles and one furlong in the Bord na Mona Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The handler has been keen to step him up in trip for some time but was wary to do so on unsuitable soft ground, and believes the two-and-a-half-mile trip of the new Grade Two Jewson-sponsored race will be right up his street.

“I was over the moon with him (at Leopardstown) considering the trip and the ground,” said the Co Waterford trainer.

“He would have hated the ground yet he still ran a cracker and I was delighted with him.

“I think the ideal race for him is going to be the new Jewson, the Grade Two at Cheltenham.

“Two and a half miles will be ideal for him and I think we’ll go straight there now. That’s what I’m thinking and the ground should be right for him.

“He’s had plenty of experience so he’ll have a break now.”