Saint Are going chasing

Grade One Aintree staying novice hurdle winner Saint Are is set to go novice chasing next season.

Trainer Tim Vaughan has put a line through his disappointing effort at Punchestown on Wednesday and believes the five-year-old has a big future over fences.

“He was a little disappointing but it was probably one race too many at the end of the season,” said the Vale of Glamorgan handler.

“It was right-handed, the pace was very slow and he ended up being in front at a very early stage. The race wasn’t run to suit us.

“He’s on his summer break now and we’ll look to start him straight off novice chasing next autumn.

“He’s schooled well over fences already. He jumps like a stag so we’ll get him going October/November time and go from there.

“I think he’s better on a left-handed track with a nice, strong gallop on like he had at Aintree and at Newbury (when a close third) the time before.

“The way those races were run suit, so that he can pass horses, he really enjoys himself that way. He looks exceptionally exciting.”