Cheltenham Festival hope Might I set for potential clash against unbeaten Jonbon
It could be a case of jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire for exciting novice Might I after trainer Harry Fry sidestepped a rematch with Constitution Hill in last Saturday's Tolworth Hurdle only to discover Jonbon may be lining up for the same new target.
Having been well beaten by the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill at Sandown last month, Fry chose to sit tight with Might I and wait for the Grade 2 Rossington Main at Haydock on Saturday week.
But another potential Seven Barrows superstar could lie in wait with Henderson looking to run the unbeaten Jonbon at Haydock or in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown before Cheltenham.
Fry, who won the Rossington Main in 2017 with the ill-fated Neon Wolf, said: "We decided having finished runner-up to Constitution Hill once, we'd keep our powder dry with Might I and look at the Rossington Main, which ironically I hear is also on the radar for Jonbon. We'll certainly be entering and that's the plan as things stand."
Can anything beat Tolworth Hurdle winner Constitution Hill in the Supreme?
After winning his hurdle debut at Newton Abbot by 11 lengths, Might I was sent off favourite to beat Constitution Hill at Sandown but was well beaten by the hurdle newcomer.
Following the dominant manner of Constitution Hill's victory in the Grade 1 Tolworth, Fry is looking forward to seeing what Might I is capable of next time.
"We thought we were going to be hard to beat last time but as the Tolworth showed trying to concede a penalty to Constitution Hill was not going to be possible," the trainer said.
"It doesn't look a bad run now, conceding six pounds and only getting beaten 14 lengths. I say 'only' as Constitution Hill looks pretty exceptional at this stage.
"We've only had two runs over hurdles and were put in our place by a subsequent Grade 1 winner and it doesn't read too badly. It's still early days and we've got high hopes for him."
Might I, a half-brother to last season's Albert Bartlett fourth Stattler, won over 2m2½f at Newbot Abbot before dropping back to two miles at Sandown.
Regarding longer term plans, Fry added: "We were keen to come back to two miles last time after he won on his debut but he'll definitely stay further and that's what we'll probably look to do as we get more into the spring.
"We need to go and run again and if we're realistic about going to Cheltenham, he needs to go and win his next start to be competitive in the festival novices. His options are open and you never know, he might be one to go down the handicap route, for something like the Martin Pipe."
The trainer also revealed Ask Me Early, who missed the Welsh Grand National after a schooling fall, was back in routine work.
"We've given him time to get over it and haven't pinpointed anything immediately," said Fry. "We're working towards the Midlands National in March and plan to run him before that. We'll find a suitable target in February all being well."
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