One of the most mentioned horses to watch this season was Ben Pauling's Bright Forecast with many opposing trainers fearing the reappearance of the the six year old with him set to try his hand over fences for the first time.
However, it has not been plain sailing for the gelding who was struck with an injury that has not seen him feature at all this season and with that in mind his trainer is looking to just get the horse back for the festival keeping him over hurdles for the season.
His novice chasing career has been put on hold and will probably now be looked at for next season with the prime target for the year for him to be entered into the Grade One Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Under yesterday's Champion Hurdle winner Mark Walsh, City Island lands the Ballymore! #TheFestival #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/5KdDW70b7k
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2019
Bright Forecast has not been seen since last year's Cheltenham festival when finishing a staying on third in the hot Grade One Ballymore Novices Hurdle and although never racing over three miles, Ben Pauling believes he will revel in the step up in trip.
(Credit At The Races) He said: “Bright Forecast is in great form. We are in no hurry with him whatsoever and he will be ready when he is ready.
“He remains a very nice horse and he will be given an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle as he probably wants that trip.
“If he doesn’t come back for Cheltenham we will probably look at the three-mile Grade One at Aintree. The plan next season will be to go chasing.”