Festival options remain open for Broadway Boy

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ novice chaser had excuses for a below-par showing at Warwick last time.

BROADWAY BOY winning the Daily Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained progressive chaser showed a tremendous attitude when making virtually all the running to land a Premier Handicap Chase over three miles two furlongs at Cheltenham in December, a performance that would set up a tilt at the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick a month later.

The six-year-old never looked to be travelling kindly in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies that day and eventually finished a lacklustre third behind Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning and Apple Away, who looks set to take her chance in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

However, Broadway Boy was found to be suffering from stomach ulcers after disappointing that day and all roads lead back to Cheltenham, where he has only suffered defeat once in four outings, according to assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies.

"He scoped badly after Warwick and then we also found that he had stomach ulcers as well, but we're back on track now," he said.

One thing that's yet to be decided is what race Broadway Boy will contest at Prestbury Park next month, with both the National Hunt Chase and Grade 1 Brown Advisory legitimate options.

Twiston-Davies continued: "It's completely up in the air and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge yet,"

"It's been narrowed down to either the Brown Advisory or the National Hunt Chase but that is it, we're not sure yet and we'll make a decision the week before, probably. Both options are definitely open.

"It will be a case of seeing who goes where and what the ground is looking like.

"He'd be close to the top of the ratings for the National Hunt Chase whereas he might have to improve slightly for the Brown Advisory, but we'll see nearer the time."


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