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Trainer Keiran Burke is hoping that Hunt Ball can continue his excellent recent form with victory in the Grade Two Macmillan Cancer Support Silver Trophy Chase on day one of Cheltenham's April Meeting.
The eight-year-old bounced back to his best on good to firm ground at Taunton on April 4, as he defied top-weight to record a comfortable victory in a valuable handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs.
That was his first success since storming to victory in the Listed Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival in 2012, although the Anthony Knott-owned chaser has posted a string of good efforts on softer than ideal conditions this season, including a pair of appearances at Cheltenham.
He kept on to take fourth in the fiercely competitive Byrne Group Plate at The Festival on March 14, when he also conceded weight to all of his rivals, and came home third in the Grade Two Argento Chase on Festival Trials Day in January.
Burke reported: "Hunt Ball is on course for Cheltenham next week. He did a good piece of work this morning and he is absolutely flying at the moment.
"His run at Taunton was very good and it was the first time that he got his ground all year. He won in a very good time as well, so we were delighted with him.
"He had top-weight in the Byrne Group Plate as well and, considering the good to soft ground didn't suit him, it was another really good performance. Apart from Taunton, he's not had his ground all season, which has been a massive issue for him.
"He is just coming right now and the spring ground is ideal for him - it's just a shame that there aren't any more races for him after next week. He's gone up to 162 now but he's earned that mark and we couldn't be happier with him."
The Macmillan Cancer Support Silver Trophy Chase, a limited handicap over two miles and five furlongs, has a prestigious roll of honour, with the scorers including 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Norton's Coin (1989, 1991), 1990 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Barnbrook Again (1990), 1991 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Katabatic (1992), 1989 Champion Hurdle victor Beech Road (1993), 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Strong Promise (1997) and 2008 Ryanair Chase scorer Our Vic (2006).
The first day of The April Meeting also features the £20,000 Auriga Network Handicap Hurdle (3.20pm) and the £20,000 Weatherite Novices' Chase (5.05pm) among seven races. Brightwells host one of the most important jumping bloodstock sales in the Centaur after racing.
An eight-race card on day two of The April Meeting, Thursday, April 18, includes the £25,000 Listed EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase Finale (2.35pm), which has been transferred to Cheltenham following the abandonment of Newbury on March 23.
The fairer sex will also have the chance to gain some black type in the £20,000 Listed TBA Mares' Novices Hurdle (2pm) and the £20,000 Listed OLBG.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm).
