Tom George is hoping Lordofthehouse can continue his new found love for jumping when he lines-up for the Felix Rosenstiel's Widow & Son Introductory Hurdle at Ascot on Friday.
The four-year-old refused to race on his last two outings on the Flat for William Haggas, and was reluctant at the start for his jumps debut at Wetherby three weeks ago and was tailed off but finally condescended to race and went on to win by five lengths from Falcarragh on his first run for the George team.
"He's had a couple of trips away from home since he last ran. He's had a few issues in the past, but he is really starting to enjoy himself and is loving the jumping," said George.
"We took him to a park for a morning away and had a canter round and he came back happy off the lorry.
"We've also taken him to a racecourse where he jumped a couple of hurdles and he was really happy and loved it. I'm hoping that now it's registered in his mind that a day out jumping is fun he will be OK.
"He is a very talented horse, his (half) brother was George Washington, and now he seems to have got into the mode of enjoying his jumping and going away from home.
"He loves jumping now and that seems to be the key to it. When he goes to the races he associates it with jumping rather than associating it with being hard work."
A field of six also includes Fair Trade, who was 10th in the 2000 Guineas two years ago won by Makfi. Formerly with David Elsworth and Hughie Morrison, he makes his jumping bow for the Alan King stable.
"Fair Trade looks a really interesting recruit having been considered good enough to run in the 2000 Guineas on the flat," the trainer told www.alankingracing.co.uk.
"He lost his way this summer but is full of enthusiasm again having arrived at Barbury Castle."
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