Aupcharlie on course for Foxhunters

Aupcharlie booked his ticket for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham next month after justifying favouritism in the Easter Festival 16th - 18th April Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse.

The 11-year-old gelding was recording his fifth win under rules but his first in this sphere, although he has two point-to-point wins also to his credit.

The 11/10 favourite struck the front approaching the final fence, and drew right away on the run-in for Jamie Codd to beat Ad Idem by 14 lengths. Sizing Solution like the winner trained by Jim Dreaper for Alan and Ann Potts, was another three lengths away in third.

The son of Daliapour was beaten about four lengths when sixth to On The Fringe in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham last year, and that race is very much the plan again.

Dreaper's son Thomas said, "“That was magic. The plan all year has been that he's Foxhunters bound. We did the 'On The Fringe' route and didn't worry about before Christmas. He had a prep run a couple of weeks ago about which Jamie said 'I don't care about the result'.

“It was all about today and now he'll go on. He's already qualified for Cheltenham and now he's qualified for Aintree as well.

“The owners would like to enjoy him. With the Potts as long as he keeps showing his spark we'll get a bit of fun hunter chasing. That was as good as ever.

“At his stage of life the plan was to give him a very easy time until now and I'd say more than likely he'll go to Cheltenham and Aintree now.

“The third horse, Sizing Solution, needed to be placed today for Aintree as well.”

(GC & AM)