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| Staff Writer |
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Pat O'Donnell is plotting a return to hurdles for his stable star Extensio, with a long-term view towards Royal Ascot, following the gelding's memorable triumph at York's Ebor Festival.
The 7YO, who captured a valuable staying handicap on the Knavesmire last week, is now being aimed at a winner's hurdle at Listowel next month, as connections look to preserve his wellbeing for future targets.
O'Donnell, speaking from his Limerick base, said: "It's taken us a week to come back down to earth, but we're back to normal now thank God. He's come out of it well, but I'm not going to go to the English Cesarewitch."
The small-time trainer elaborated on his decision: "I didn't have to think about it too much really, I had a good chat with Joey (Sheridan, jockey) yesterday and we're going to stick to the original plan of working back from Royal Ascot."
While Royal Ascot remains the primary objective, O'Donnell hasn't dismissed the possibility of a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival. "Of course Cheltenham would be in our thinking. It did Absurde and Henry de Bromhead's filly who won the Ebor (Magical Zoe) no harm, so you'd never rule it out and Cheltenham comes up lively enough these days, so it is a consideration," he mused.
The trainer's caution stems from the competitive nature of the Cesarewitch, noting: "I just feel if he got into a slog in the Cesarewitch with the likes of the Emmet Mullins horse that won it last year (The Shunter), those dyed in the wool stayers, I just wouldn't like to do that with him yet."
The Cesarewitch, a historic handicap dating back to 1839, has seen its share of illustrious winners. Recent victors include Stratum (2019), who went on to claim the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Buildmeupbuttercup (2020), who later triumphed in the Gr.3 Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Despite the change in short-term plans, O'Donnell's Royal Ascot aspirations for Extensio remain steadfast. "The funny thing is, if we'd just been placed in York, we might have gone on to Newmarket and I may even have let my daughter ride him and we could pick up some prize-money, but he won with such authority at York I just think we're into a different league now and I want to mind him a bit more," he explained.
Extensio's sole previous hurdles outing resulted in victory at Roscommon in August, and O'Donnell is keen to explore this avenue further. "There's a winner's hurdle at Listowel at the end of next month and that's the way I'm thinking," he revealed.
The trainer concluded: "We'll see how it goes and play it by ear. Listowel is an important meeting to the people in the south part of Ireland, but we'll do the best by the horse."
As Extensio embarks on this new chapter, the racing world will be watching with interest to see if this versatile performer can translate his flat success to the National Hunt sphere, all while keeping the Royal Ascot dream alive.