Emitom Ready To Trade Hurdles For Fences

The Warren Greatrex trained Emitom is ready to swap hurdles for fences for the upcoming national hunt season as his handler eyes up an outing at Uttoxeter for his first start over the bigger obstacles.

The six year old has been a smart performer for the most part of his career, landing six of his nine races including four times over hurdles and twice in bumpers.

Last season the gelding was only seen three times, winning the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on his penultimate start and off the back of that went to Cheltenham and finished a good fourth in the Grade One Stayers' Hurdle.

Providing he gets his ideal conditions at Uttoxeter it is all systems go for him to make his debut over fences next month.

(Credit ATR) Greatrex said: “It could be argued he had unfinished business over hurdles, because I don’t think he was at his best at Cheltenham but he still managed to finish fourth.

“Next year he will be seven going on eight, and I know he will be a better chaser, so we decided the best thing to do was to go straight over fences with him this season.

“Physically he has done so well over the summer, while his work has been very good, and he is now reaching his full maturity.

“The plan if all goes well would be to run him at Uttoxeter on October 4 over two and a half miles, provided they have enough rain, and see how we go from there.”

Greatrex believes that Emitom will take to fences very well and although he was not known for his jumping of hurdles last season, he should take to fences.

He added: “He has always schooled fences at home better, for whatever reason. He has had a few schools recently and he has jumped very well.

“The biggest thing over hurdles was his concentration, and fences just give him something to look at – which I think helps him.

“He has improved a lot and he is hugely exciting.”