Laurens Bay Has Snowden Pondering His Options

Jamie Snowden hailed Laurens Bay's "ideal start" to going after and he could make an immediate step 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 got where he ended at Uttoxeter previously this month.


It may have just been a two-horse race, but Laurens Bay jumped efficiently 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 might be next on his program but he could the handicap path, depending on his mark after his remarkable success.


"He's come out of it well, certainly an ideal start to his chasing after career which is beautiful to see," Snowden stated.


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


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


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


"It all depends on where he winds up with his handicap mark, whether he winds up in a graded amateur or whether he decreases the handicap route. There's clearly a lot of water to pass under the bridge beforehand."


Ga Law has actually been an excellent 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 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 certainly on the same day, so we'll choose which method we will go, whether it's Wetherby or Down Royal, and after that we might go to the Hennessey (Coral Gold Cup) later on," Snowden said.


"In current 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 two and a half (miles).


"I think now is the time to go up in journey. He's now 9 years of ages and we will begin at three miles either at Wetherby or Down Royal, and after that think about the Hennessy maybe."