Neil King gives Lil Rockerfeller Long Walk target

Lil Rockerfeller is set to return to Ascot next month for a crack at the JLT Long Walk Hurdle with the World Hurdle at Cheltenham the ultimate aim in the spring.

Trainer Neil King has mapped out two key points in the campaign for his five-year-old after he posted a career-best effort in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last Saturday.

Beaten just three-quarters of a length by Yanworth, Lil Rockerfeller was conceding 4lb to his rival and if the pair were to clash again in the Grade One event on December 17, they would line up on level weights.

King has his sights firmly on that contest and was delighted to see his charge step up again on his debut third in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.

He said: "I was over the moon with him and he's come back from the race fine.

"We thought his run at Wetherby was his career best, but then he's improved again and that run is now his best effort.

"The plan now is to go back to Ascot for the Long Walk Hurdle, when he will have things on his terms, racing off level weights and over three miles. Hopefully the ground will be a bit softer, too."

Lil Rockerfeller finished seventh behind Annie Power in the Champion Hurdle last term, but King is targeting the three-mile showpiece this time around.

He added: "We will just take a pause after Ascot and map our route to the World Hurdle at the Festival.

"I would like to go to the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (February 26) on the way, but it's just a case of whether we have another race in between. He loves his racing and really thrives on it."

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Source: At The Races