Dysart Enos to get taste for Cheltenham on Friday

Molly Hunter
December 11, 2023 5:57 pm

Top-class Fergal O’Brien prospect taking on the boys at Prestbury Park.

Fergal O’Brien’s Dysart Enos will take another step in her hurdling career when she lines up at Cheltenham on Friday.

The five-year-old was unbeaten in bumpers, including taking the Listed Alan Swinbank at Market Rasen ahead of the equally-promising Queens Gamble and then the Grade Two Nickel Coin at Aintree by nine lengths.

Her hurdling debut came at Huntingdon in November, where the bay was the seven-and-a-half-length winner of a mares’ two-mile novice event.

Cheltenham is her next destination as she holds an entry for the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, a race in which she we take on geldings over two miles and a furlong.

“That’s the plan, to go and give her a spin around there,” O’Brien said.

Dysart Enos when wining at Aintree (David Davies/PA)

“I know we’re against the boys, but fingers crossed it’ll be a good bit of experience for her.

“It’s a very competitive novice hurdle on paper, but we have to go and try these things, the main reason is to get her there and to see how she handles Cheltenham.”

Stablemate Bonttay is entered at the same meeting as she is due to run in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle after winning her seasonal debut at Hereford in early November.

The six-year-old has never been out of the top two in nine starts, winning six times with a record of two from three at Cheltenham.

“She’s in good form, we’re really happy with her,” O’Brien said.

Bonttay and Paddy Brennan at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

“She won very well at Hereford and we were pleased with that, she loves Cheltenham – she’s run there three times and won two and was second in the other.

“If you could pick a track that wouldn’t suit her it would be Hereford over two miles, it was just a case of wanting to get a run into her and get the freshness out of her, then this race was always the target.”