Novice chasing for Barters Hill

Ben Pauling is looking to set Barters Hill on his novice chase career in October with the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton a possible main objective for the first half of the season.

The Grade One on Boxing Day, formerly known as the Feltham, could be Barters Hill’s first try at three miles over fences as the Gloucestershire trainer wants to give the six-year-old his first runs over two and a half miles.

Pauling reports Barters Hill, who was a leading staying novice hurdler last season, to have done tremendously well over the summer and is excited by the prospect of running him over fences.

“He’s in great form. He’s never summered so well. He looks magnificent, very strong and powerful, and I’m thrilled with the way he’s come back,” he said.

“He’s doing two canters and looking great. He’s on track for an end-of-October start at either Bangor on the 25th or Huntingdon on the 30th, both over two and a half miles.

“He’s going novice chasing – that’s what we bought him for. He schooled brilliantly over fences at the back end of last year and he should not be far off the top in the novice chasing order this season.

“I’m keen to come back to two and a half miles. I’m certain he stays three miles, but I don’t think he needs to go there.

“I think we’ll go back to two and …

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