Gordon looking to Newbury run with Bass Hunter

Bass Hunter could divert to a Listed event at Newbury on February 7 after being ruled out of Windsor’s valuable bumper during the Winter Million weekend.

Chris Gordon’s five-year-old already secured Listed honours when winning at Ascot before Christmas, establishing himself as one of the UK’s leading bumper performers.

After a planned outing at Windsor on Sunday was scuppered, the William Hill More Top Prices Beacons Bumper has come into range before a run at one of the spring festivals.

“He just got cast in his box and obviously that ruled Windsor out, but he’s A1 and we’re thinking of the Listed race at Newbury on February 7,” said Gordon

“We might have a little penalty and as you can see he’s a big horse and a little bit weak, so I wouldn’t mind some better ground for him.

“At Ascot, it was quite soft ground that day and he was tying up in front a little bit, so I wouldn’t want to run him on anything like that again really.”

Bass Hunter is as short as 12-1 for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and having assessed the division ahead of a possible outing at Prestbury Park, Gordon is inclined to aim high with his exciting prospect.

He added: “I’m really keen on Cheltenham or Aintree for him and at this time of year, normally one or two of Nicky’s (Henderson) have bolted up or one of Paul (Nicholls) or Dan’s (Skelton) and there has been very few I’ve seen bolt up.

“I’m not sure what the Irish have but from what I’ve seen over here, I think we would certainly have to have that as the aim.”