Leading Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead is set to send his two mile star Put The Kettle On over to Kempton at Christmas to take on Altior in the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase.
The six year old for Henry De Bromhead has been an improving project over the last few years with the mare winning seven of her last eight events since May 2019.
Last season the daughter of Stowaway was nothing short of superb running four times and winning three of those events including back to back wins at Prestbury Park.
Having scored at Wexford in September she then went into a Grade Three event at Tipperary and was a narrow second in a race she really should have won.
However, she improved massively for that experience when stepping up to the Grade Two Arkle Trial at Cheltenham and seeing off three smart runners to land the event.
The mare was waited on patiently again and was not seen until March when sent into the Grade One Arkle at the festival and at a double figure price became the first mare to win the event for 40 years.
Having her first run since the festival she returned for her seasonal debut in the Grade Two Shloer Chase over the same course and distance and again put in a gritty performance to land the contest, seeing off Defi Du Seuil, Duc Des Genievres and Riders Onthe Storm.
The first mare to win the Arkle for 40 years!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 10, 2020
Put The Kettle On makes it five from six over fences and memorably triumphs in the Racing Post Arkle for @HenrydeBromhead 👏 @AidanColeman #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/4hm0Bq8pTm
The classy mare now looks set to come back across the Irish Sea, this time to take on Altior on his seasonal return in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton's King George VI Chase meeting.
(Credit ATR) “I’d say we’re pretty much going there – the last time I spoke with the owners we pretty much confirmed it, and I don’t see any reason to change, but obviously we’d have preferred Altior to have run in the Tingle Creek,” said De Bromhead.
“Her novice campaign was brilliant. She came from the summer season, and plenty have done it, but you are always under the radar when you do that. We had Notebook in the race as well, and he had won two Grade Ones on his way to the Arkle, so everyone was focused on him.
“To be fair to the mare, she’d won over course and distance and she loves it there. She had a fantastic year – and to go back and put up such a tough performance in the Shloer, she’s brilliant, and we’re lucky to have her.
“She’s very tough – bar coming to the last I could never see her winning the Shloer, but it’s testament to how tough she is and a brilliant ride from Aidan (Coleman).
“He has a great partnership with her, so he’ll be riding her again.”