Laurens Bay Has Snowden Pondering His Options

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


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


It may have just been a two-horse race, but Laurens Bay leapt effectively on his first start over fences and ran out a seven-length winner to the pleasure of his Lambourn-based trainer.


The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in November could be next on his program however he might decrease the handicap path, depending upon his mark after his excellent success.


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


"He leapt truly well. You can't really distinguish a two-horse race, however he did it remarkably and he's an exciting horse going forward.


Laurens Bay might be heading to Cheltenham after an impressive chase debut (Nigel French/PA)


"We might consider that Listed novice at Cheltenham at the November conference, or there is a Class Two at Exeter before that or the Graduation Chase at Haydock. There are a number of options.


"All of it depends on where he ends up with his handicap mark, whether he winds up in a graded amateur or whether he decreases the handicap path. There's obviously plenty of water to pass under the bridge beforehand."


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


He will be in action on November 1, but the Folly House handler has yet to decide whether to take a trip to Wetherby for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase or throughout 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 undoubtedly on the same day, so we'll decide which way we will go, whether it's Wetherby or Down Royal, and then we may go to the Hennessey (Coral Gold Cup) later on," Snowden said.


"In recent years, we were second in the Paddy Power (Gold Cup) in 2015 and we won the Paddy Power a couple of years before that, so we were actually campaigning him over 2 and a half (miles).


"I think now is the time to increase in trip. He's now nine years of ages and we will begin at 3 miles either at Wetherby or Down Royal, and then think about the Hennessy possibly."