Shantou to have prep run before Cheltenham Shantou Flyer is likely to have another run before crossing the Irish Sea for next month's Cheltenham Festival. Colin Bowe's six-year-old won four times from five starts between late July and mid-November, scoring at Cheltenham and winning a Grade Two prize at Punchestown along the way. He was given some time off after failing to make an impact in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in November and Bowe feels the break has done him good ahead of his return. "He couldn't match No More Heroes in Fairyhouse and Barry (O'Neill) said he wasn't in love with the ground," said the County Wexford trainer. "He'd been on the go a while so we gave him a good old break and he's come back in good form. "We'll probably give him one more run before Cheltenham. Whether that's in a chase or a hurdle race, I'm not sure. We'll see how it goes. "The four-miler (National Hunt Chase) is the plan and we're getting towards the time of year when the ground should get better, which will suit him."
