Sir Anthony McCoy believes Sporting John can develop into a Grade 1 hurdler

Sir Anthony McCoy believes Sporting John has the potential to develop into a Grade 1 staying hurdler after the six-year-old made a successful switch back from fences at Cheltenham on Saturday.

McCoy, an advisor to Sporting John’s owner JP McManus, had talked Sporting John up as a candidate for races such as the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next month if he got his head in front at Cheltenham.

Speaking after the race on ITV, McCoy said: “I said before the race he may be a Grade 1 horse running in a handicap. The Long Distance Hurdle [at Newbury] might be too soon for him, but the Long Walk could be an option. It was nice for him to go and do it.”

Winning trainer Philip Hobbs was less committal about Sporting John’s future, and added: “I wouldn’t rule out going back over fences but he could be a high-class hurdler too. It all needs discussing.”

Sporting John was shortened to 25-1 (from 50) for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle by Betfair following the contest.

Third Time Lucki: delivered again at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Team Skelton 'living the dream' as Arkle hope Third Time Lucki surges to victory

Third Time Lucki left the Skeltons “living the dream” after dispatching his rivals to make it two wins from two starts over fences at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Owned by Mike and Eileen Newbould, Third Time Lucki broke the race apart just after the halfway point, surging to the front and putting in a bold round of jumping and speed before appearing to idle and tire in the closing stages.

The performance caused a spread of reaction from bookmakers, with the majority cutting him to 8-1 (from 14) for the Sportinglife Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, although Paddy Power and Betfair left him unchanged at 11-1 for the same race.

Saturday racecards and betting

Winning jockey Harry Skelton said: “He was brilliant. He has a lot of natural pace; he kept on galloping and he has so much speed midway through the race.

“We've always thought a lot of him. We're all living the dream to hopefully be back here in March [for the Arkle] He's an out-and-out two miler and you need to let him go.”

Dan Skelton said the performance had left him convinced Third Time Lucki was “really good fresh” and that he had produced form that is “the level they have to come up to” in the Arkle.

Results, replays and analysis

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