Donald McCain has not lost any faith in Cinders And Ashes despite his defeat behind Countrywide Flame in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner never looked to be travelling that well in the conditions for Jason Maguire and was eventually well beaten by John Quinn's Triumph Hurdle hero.
It was a rare reversal for the in-form McCain and he is now looking at the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton for his charge.
He told his betfair.com column: "Obviously amongst all the winners it was a shame Cinders And Ashes couldn't make a winning reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, but I am far from despondent about it.
"Look, he's been beaten, but to my eye he was hating every minute of it on the ground and I think he probably did well to get as close as he did.
"There was absolutely no benefit in him standing in his box any longer - he was ready to run and it was the right race for him - so although he has been beaten, it's not the end of the world.
"I said throughout last season that he would be a better horse on better ground and (Newcastle) was final confirmation to me that he doesn't want it that deep.
"The plan is now to go for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton - the ground there should be better and, even if it's soft, it won't be anything like heavy going at Newcastle!
"I haven't lost any faith in him and there will be other days for him to show what he can do."
20 June 2013
Opportunity knocks for Green DoorPretending has to be real stayer
Stack hopes are alive and kicking
Rock ready to roll
Estimate takes Gold test
Happy ending for Annecdote
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted
19 June 2013
Godolphin swoop for LibertarianToronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleAl Thani snaps up Sandiva
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 showdownCat 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