McDonald out to book Cheltenham ticket

Old McDonald will be Cheltenham bound should he put up a good performance in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Trainer Noel Glynn has entered last month’s Naas winner in two novice hurdles at the Festival – the Neptune Investment Management over two miles and five furlongs and the three-mile Albert Bartlett.

“He’s going from the juniors to the senior ranks. He’s a promising horse but Saturday is the acid test as to whether we go to Cheltenham or Killarney,” said the County Clare handler.

“He really wants a fence in front of him. He has no great respect for hurdles but if he hits them right he is brilliant.

“If he’s in the first two or three he’ll go to Cheltenham and whatever wins this race will be favourite for the two and a half mile novice there.

“I think he’ll run well. He’ll improve a good bit from Naas and his jumping should be a bit faster.”