Unbeaten Highway One O Two is set to bypass the Imperial Cup at Sandown and the Cheltenham Festival and instead head straight into the 2020 Randox Health Grand National Festival, starting in five weeks’ time.
The Chris Gordon-trained runner impressed when continuing his unbeaten record over obstacles with a win in the Grade Two Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle last weekend. The five-year-old landed a four-and-three-quarter-length win over West Cork at Kempton, this adding to two previous wins at Plumpton.
The handicapper raised his burden to 11lb for the weekend win and he won’t now be aimed at Sandown this coming weekend, instead an appearance in the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle at the Grand National Festival being on the cards.
Trainer Chris Gordon said: “He will go to Aintree now.
“To be quite honest, if he was a straightforward horse I would have gone for a normal novice somewhere with a claimer on for his third run – and keep his mark of 135.
“However, that’s been blown apart now – we’re up to 146, so we’ll wait for Aintree.
“It was a good ride by Tom (Cannon). With him being so keen early on, he did really well to keep finding at the end of the race.
“The funny thing is, normally horses who are keen on the track are keen at home – but he isn’t, he’s lovely and settled at home. Hopefully as time goes on, he will conserve a bit more energy, but it was a really good performance.”
Tickets for the Grand National festival continue to sell fast so make sure of yours by visiting the Official Grand National Tickets page today.
