Laurens Bay Has Snowden Pondering His Options

Jamie Snowden hailed Laurens Bay's "perfect start" to chasing after and he might make an immediate action up in class next time out.


The six-year-old landed the valuable EBF Final at Sandown on his last look of the previous campaign and selected up where he ended at Uttoxeter earlier this month.


It may have only been a two-horse race, however Laurens Bay leapt effectively on his very first start over fences and went out a seven-length winner to the delight of his Lambourn-based fitness instructor.


The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in November could be next on his agenda but he could go down the handicap route, depending upon his mark after his remarkable victory.


"He's come out of it well, undoubtedly a perfect start to his going after profession which is lovely to see," said.


"He leapt truly well. You can't truly tell from a two-horse race, but he did it impressively and he's an interesting horse moving forward.


Laurens Bay could be heading to Cheltenham after a remarkable chase debut (Nigel French/PA)


"We may consider that Listed newbie at Cheltenham at the November Paddy Paddy meeting, or there is a Class Two at Exeter before that or the Graduation Chase at Haydock. There are several choices.


"Everything depends upon where he winds up with his handicap mark, whether he ends up in a graded novice or whether he decreases the handicap path. There's undoubtedly plenty of water to pass under the bridge ahead of time."


Ga Law has actually been a fantastic servant to Snowden and the nine-year-old will step up to 3 miles for the forthcoming season.


He will be in action on November 1, however the Folly House handler has yet to decide whether to travel to Wetherby for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase or across the Irish Sea for the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal.


"He's got an entry there (Down Royal) and an entry in the Charlie Hall, which is clearly on the same day, so we'll choose which way we will go, whether it's Wetherby or Down Royal, and then we may go to the Hennessey (Coral Gold Cup) afterwards," Snowden stated.


"In the last few years, we were second in the Paddy Power (Gold Cup) in 2015 and we won the Paddy Power a number of years before that, so we were actually campaigning him over two and a half (miles).


"I believe now is the time to go up in journey. He's now 9 years old and we will start at 3 miles either at Wetherby or Down Royal, and after that consider the Hennessy possibly."