Bishop mulling Brook plans
Kevin Bishop is considering giving star chaser Ashley Brook his first comeback run over hurdles.
The Bridgwater trainer wants to exploit the eight-year-old’s relatively low rating over the smaller obstacles before putting him back over fences.
Ashley Brook, who would have been a leading fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has been sidelined by a knee injury that required surgery since finishing second to Kauto Star in the William Hill - Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December.
“It took about three lots of X-rays to pinpoint the tiny chip at the top of his knee,” the trainer told At The Races.
“He actually chipped the big bone running down to his knee which wouldn’t be as serious as a small bone within his knee and the vets are very optimistic that he should be 100 per cent on it.
“He had a month on the walker and he’s been out to grass now for about six weeks. I would envisage he’d come in probably early August.
“He’s got a handicap mark of 163 over fences and 124 over hurdles so I might even consider popping him in a hurdle race for his first run of the season.”
Bishop is keeping an open mind as to what will be Ashley Brook’s best trip.
“I know he stays fairly well. He has won over two, five and a half at Newton Abbot in a canter, but I wouldn’t know whether he’s actually better over further, but Paddy (Brennan) thinks he might be. We’ll play it by ear,” he added.
