Jonjo O'Neill is hoping Tominator can step up on his debut win over jumps when he runs in the Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Winner of the 2011 Northumberland Plate when in the care of Reg Hollinshead, he got his hurdling career off to a good start at Bangor last month, but this Grade Two contest represents a big leap in class.

"He needed to win at Bangor. It wasn't a great race, but he did his job nicely," said Jackdaws Castle-based O'Neill.

"He came out of the race in good shape and he's schooled well, but it's a bit of a tall order. We'll see where we go after that. If he did translate his Flat form, then he's in with a chance. He's done nothing wrong at home, so there's no reason not to go."

Paul Nicholls set Dodging Bullets stiff tasks as a juvenile in the last campaign but is pleased the four-year-old can continue down the novice route this term as he was unable to win a race.

He wasted no time in getting off the mark on his reappearance on this track last month.

"It's probably just as well he didn't win last year so he was a novice for this season," the champion trainer told Sky Sports News. "We aimed him quite high - he was fourth in the Triumph, he was second in the Adonis.

"He was quite backward last season. He's done well and has already won at Cheltenham when we didn't think he was quite right. The form of that race hasn't worked out, but he's ready to go to Cheltenham for the first big novice hurdle and he's a horse to follow."

Dual bumper winner Court Minstrel made a successful debut over the course and distance recently, but the five-year-old has much more on his plate, according to his trainer Evan Williams.

"He won an ordinary enough maiden hurdle by Cheltenham standards in my opinion," said the Llancarfan handler. "He's got a lot more on his plate, that's for sure. He's in good form, I can't ask for more on that score, but it's a massive step up in class."

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist

16 June 2013

Songbird aiming to fly high
Movie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation

15 June 2013

Marengo set for battle royal
Saddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run