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Trainer Stuart Edmunds enjoyed the biggest success of his career so far when Wolf Of Windlesham landed the Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Open on November 12 and now the three-year-old could return to Cheltenham on Saturday.
Wolf Of Windlesham, who won by half a length from Coo Star Sivola in the November 12 contest, is unbeaten over hurdles having scored by 17 lengths on his debut at Ludlow on October 22. He is one of eight entries for the opening £20,000 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (12.05pm, eight entries), which is staged over just short of two miles and a furlong.
Edmunds, who took over the training licence from the late Rene Robeson at Fences Farm, Tyringham, Buckinghamshire, in January this year, said: "I am not totally sure yet whether Wolf Of Windlesham will run at Cheltenham on Saturday as he is also entered at Doncaster on the same day.
"We are currently looking at both races. We know he acts at Cheltenham, so that may mean it comes out on top. He seems good since his win at The Open and we know he gets up the hill.
"If he goes to Cheltenham he will have to carry a penalty and things are going to get tougher with him now."
The entries for JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial also include exciting French import Adrien Du Pont (Paul Nicholls) and Leoncavallo (John Ferguson), who won all his five starts over hurdles including a Listed contest at Wetherby. John Ferguson has also entered Robertstown, a useful performer on the Flat in Ireland this year, while Alan King could run Sceau Royal, runner-up to Leoncavallo at Wetherby and Who Dares Wins, a winner on debut at Ludlow last month. Sky Lino (Nick Williams) and Chic Name (Richard Hobson) complete the entries.
Irish raider Jetstream Jack features among 10 entries for the £30,000 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.25pm), which also takes place on day two of The International, Saturday, December 12. The three-mile contest was won impressively by Coneygree in 2012.
Jetstream Jack has been spoken highly of by trainer Gordon Elliott and scored decisively over hurdles at Clonmel last month. Potential rivals include Unowhatimeanharry (Harry Fry), an emphatic winner at The Open in handicap company, Aintree scorer Definite Outcome (Rebecca Curtis) and Net Work Rouge (Kim Bailey), who beat a subsequent winner at Warwick last time out.
The highlights on Saturday, December 12 at Cheltenham are the £150,000 StanJames.com International (3.00pm, 11 entries), a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle and the £100,000 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (1.50pm, 18 confirmations).
The International kicks off on Friday, December 11 with a seven-race card featuring the £45,000 Ryman Stationery Handicap Chase (1.45pm, 23 entries) and the £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (2.20pm, 19 entries).
The ground is currently Good to Soft on all courses at Cheltenham.
