Smooth Tom (left) winning at Naas© Photo Healy Racing
Andy Slattery is looking forward to stepping Smooth Tom up to Grade 1 level in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown next Wednesday.
The Elzaam gelding was a useful handicapper on the Flat with a rating in the 90s and has taken well to hurdles winning both starts over timber.
He won a maiden at the Listowel Festival and followed up in the BetVictor Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle at Naas last month.
“He's a fair horse, but whether he is up to that class we won't know until we find out,” said the Killenaule trainer. "The race in Naas didn't work out great but he has done everything easily, so there is more left.
"He has been on the go since last March and I was threatening to give him a break, but he seems in great form at home so we are going."
The four-year-old faces eight rivals in the Grade 1 including the likes of Down Memory Lane and the Willie Mullins-trained pair Daddy Long Legs and Predators Gold.
Smooth Tom is owned by Padraig and Margaret O’Rourke who also have another useful prospect in Fleur In The Park.
The Walk In The Park gelding won a Roscommon bumper on debut in September and has filled the runner-up spot on both outings since including in a Listed race at Navan last Sunday.
Slattery is far from despondent about the four-length defeat by The Enabler at Navan, with some well-regarded types well behind, and is taking a long-term view about his charge.
"My opinion is I had the best horse in the race because my horse has not been drilled for bumpers. He was ridden out the back and if he was on the tail of the winner, would probably have made him work for it.
“My horse has not been wound up, it is all about next season and the season after. He is a decent horse and I'm looking forward to him.
"We have more or less ruled out Cheltenham, I don't want to mess him up this year. Next year, hopefully the Ballymore (2025) and a chaser in the making. The owner is working on the same level as I am, that's what he wants.
"We'll probably take on the winner in Naas (February 25) or go Dublin Racing Festival."
