French raid up next for the Cheltenham star who cost €1,000

Stayers' Hurdle runner-up Ronald Pump, who was bought for just €1,000, could tackle the French Champion Hurdle in May if the restrictions caused by coronavirus are lessened in the coming weeks.

Trainer Matthew Smith admitted he was left wondering what could have been at the festival had his 20-1 shot not endured a troubled passage up the home straight nor crashed through the final flight.

Despite getting little luck in running, Ronald Pump still managed to get within two lengths of the winner Lisnagar Oscar and Smith is keen to have a crack at the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) on May 16, a race Benie Des Dieux won so impressively last year.

WATCH: Ronald Pump finish second in the Stayers' Hurdle

Smith said: "It was a brilliant run at Cheltenham and we were obviously thrilled with him, but I was a little bit disappointed as he didn't get much luck on the way down to the last. He didn't jump the last well at all either. In fact, he didn't jump well on the day. He's usually much better than that.

"If someone had offered me second before the race, I would have snapped their hand off but when you look back at the replay it's hard not to feel a bit disappointed. I wasn't surprised he ran so well. I would have been shocked had he not finished in the first three."

On plans for the seven-year-old, Smith said: "There are a lot of options in France and I'm strongly considering having a go at the French Champion Hurdle. It would be right up his street and the prize-money is good. There are quite a few races in France I had my eye on but who knows what's going to happen with this coronavirus.

"He's in great form but his back was very sore after Cheltenham and that was probably why he didn't jump as well as he can."

Matthew Smith: has a strong Flat team to go to war with this summerCredit: Patrick McCann

The ultimate aim for Ronald Pump is another bid at the Stayers' Hurdle next season, and his trainer added: "Fingers crossed we'll get back there in the same sort of form. He'll stay hurdling anyway."

Smith is one of Ireland's most promising dual-purpose trainers and he has a decent Flat team to go to war with this summer, headed by One Cool Poet, whose rating rose from 62 to 100 last year.

The trainer said: "We have some nice horses getting ready for the summer. I cannot wait to get One Cool Poet back on the track. He improved beyond all recognition last year and it would be unbelievable if he could improve again.

"I'm also looking forward to Flaming Moon. He won a maiden at Navan in October and he could be really smart."

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