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Bottler’secret made a successful start to his hurdling career with a victory in Sunday’s Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Naas.
The four-year-old was making his debut for trainer Gavin Cromwell, having secured two victories from three outings on the flat for former handler Ciaran Murphy. Whilst the gelding's job was made significantly easier with the late withdrawal of the unbeaten Wodhooh, he overcome some novicey jumping errors under Sean Flanagan to take an eleven length victory, with Pacini back in second.
With less than two weeks until the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Cromwell remains open to different options for his young charge.
"He's a nice horse. It might not have been the greatest renewal of a Grade Three but for his first day he jumped well. He was a little bit big and slow early on but the further he went, the better he got," said Cromwell.
"It would have been nice if we'd got more experience into him. I thought we're getting on in the year and we'd pitch him in at the deep end. If he didn't win, he'd be a novice next year.
"He's in the Triumph Hurdle, but I don't know if he'll go there. If he had a bit more experience he would, but it is what it is at this stage – I wouldn't rule it out.
"There are plenty of options at Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown."
Paddy Power shortened Bottler'secret from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.