Aidan Howard believes Winter Escape fully deserves his crack at Grade One company at next month’s Dublin Racing Festival.
The eight year-old is three from four over fences for Howard since making the switch from Alan King’s stable.
He is the first horse Howard has trained for JP McManus and heads to Foxrock on a four-timer after winning his last two starts in Grade 3 company at Cork and Punchestown.
He holds entries in the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase over two miles and a furlong and in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase over two-miles-five.
Howard, who also pre-trains for McManus, said: “He’s very good, and I’m very happy with him since Punchestown. He travelled very well in Punchestown and picked up well.
“What he goes for in Leopardstown depends on the ground – he definitely wants an ease, and might not even go if it is dry.
“If he gets an ease he is more likely to go for the two-miles-five Grade 1.
“He has a long way to go to get to the top. But he deserves his chance in this company, and we hope he is a Grade 1 horse.”
Both Winter Escape’s Grade 3 victories came over two and a half miles.
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