3 minute read
Highly-promising debut winner could be seen at Cheltenham or Aintree next.
Paul Nicholls looked to unleash yet another exciting youngster when Teeshan strolled to a seven-length victory in the colours of Johnny de la Hey at Exeter last week.
"He won nicely at Exeter on debut," said the champion trainer. "I don't know what sort of race it was, but he cantered round and won very nicely. I've won two other bumpers there this season with Quebecois and Joyau Allen and I'd argue they were both as impressive as he was."
The son of Westerner arrived with a sizeable reputation after landing a Loughanmore point-to-point by a staggering 41 lengths last October and duly followed up to make the perfect start to life under Rules.
"He had quite a tall reputation because he won his Irish point-to-point very well, but you can't have a better start than what he had the other day."
Grade 1 Challow Hurdle winner Captain Teague carried the same silks when a somewhat unlucky third in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season, a path Nicholls didn't rule out for his new recruit.
"He'll have an entry in the Champion Bumper, we ran Captain Teague in it, but we'll see how he is," said Nicholls.
He added: "He took a while to acclimatise and come right when he came over from Ireland in the Autumn, so I just want to make sure he's right. If he doesn't go to Cheltenham, he'll undoubtedly go to Aintree."
Teeshan is as short as 5/1 for Champion Bumper glory at Cheltenham next month.