Dr Leunt's next outing at the Cheltenham Festival will be determined by the weather, connections said yesterday. The Philip Hobbs-trained eight-year-old, who was a stylish winner of the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on Saturday, has a choice of three engagements at the prestigious three-day fixture.
Hobbs explained: "He's in the Cathcart (two miles and five furlongs), Mildmay Of Flete (two miles, four and a half furlongs) and the three-mile handicap on the opening day and it depends on the ground which one he runs in.
"He likes good ground and he doesn't mind it on the soft side either but if it came up soft he would be better off over two miles five furlongs rather than three."
In Saturday's race Dr Leunt benefited from a positive ride from Richard Dunwoody to beat The Land Agent by three and a half lengths.
"It was just the job yesterday and the horse is fine this morning," added Hobbs. "Richard was pleased with him - it's the first time he's ridden him this season."
Mudahim, Hobbs' Martell Grand National candidate, finished seventh of 11 finishers behind Young Kenny in the Greenalls Grand National Trial at Haydock Park after being well behind from the 14th fence but is still on course for Aintree.
"Mudahim is fine after Haydock and will probably go straight for the National now," added Hobbs.
Olivier Peslier is on the look out for a ride in the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on March 28th. Peslier, who last year won the Derby on High-Rise and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sagamix, finished third to Silver Charm on Loup Sauvage in the 1998 World Cup and is keen to be involved again.
He has just returned to France after a successful stint in Japan where he rode 14 winners including several valuable races. Peslier will be riding at Santa Anita, California on March 21st in a jockeys' challenge.
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