Jefferson has high hopes for Caitlin

Smart mare heading to Cheltenham next month.

Ruth Jefferson has a switch to chasing pencilled in for her promising mare Clondaw Caitlin next season.

The five-year-old has been beaten only once this term, when finishing seventh in a mares’ bumper at Aintree on what was her first run under rules since graduating from the point-to-point ranks.

She has since won each of her four subsequent starts, including three runs over hurdles culminating with the Grade Two William Hill Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso last month.

Jefferson now has her eye on Cheltenham’s mares-only card on April 16 as a season-closer for the daughter of Court Cave.

“She came out of the race very well at Kelso, we were really pleased with her,” she said.

“We’re planning one more run, maybe at Cheltenham on the mares’ card. It’s all very ground dependent at the moment, but one more run will do her and then that will be it for the season.”

Despite so far doing all of her winning over distances varying from two miles to two and a half miles, Malton-based Jefferson feels a step up in trip will be of benefit.

As the five-year-old has point-to-point form over three miles, Jefferson is also confident she will develop into a chaser in time and could make the switch to larger obstacles next season.

“At the moment we’re thinking of going chasing next season,” she said.

“She handles two and a half miles very well. Her most impressive victory was over two and a half – visually impressive, not form wise. But she looks like a filly that the further she goes the better she is.

“I think she could be a three-mile chaser down the road, but not just yet.”

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Clondaw Caitlin

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