Fleur In The Park© Photo Healy Racing
Andy Slattery feels Fleur In The Park has 'improved a lot' ahead of his stiffest task to date in the BetVictor Future Champions INH Flat Race at Navan on Sunday.
After justifying strong market support on debut at Roscommon in September, the four-year-old was since narrowly beaten at Punchestown, going down by a head to My Great Mate.
Now tried in Listed company, the Margaret O'Rourke-owned bay takes on seven rivals, with Grade 1 runner-up Redemption Day the likely favourite.
Gordon Elliott saddles Jalon D'oudairies and The Enabler and they are both sure to have plenty of supporters, while Gavin Cromwell's Springt De La Mare is another leading hope.
Speaking at Dundalk on Friday, Slattery said of his representative: "He hasn't been fit yet - he was 70 per cent fit when he ran in Roscommon, he was about 80 per cent the last day.
"Adam (Ryan) rode him in Punchestown and he said he blew up at the furlong pole, and he said another two strides (at the finish) and he was up again.
"I think he is after improving a lot and I think he is a very nice horse.
"He has not been trained as a bumper horse, he's more a chaser in the making.
"If we win, we'll go to Cheltenham. If we finish down the field, he probably won't run again (this season) - he's 16.2, 16.3hh and I'm training him for the future. It would be hurdles next year.
"We haven't gunned him for any race, but he is a long ways fitter than he ever was."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
