Nigel Twiston-Davies targets Long Distance Hurdle for Wholestone

Wholestone has Newbury's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle as his next target.

A prolific winner in his novice season, he emerged as the best in the three-mile division in Britain, but was beaten into third by Penhill and Monalee in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He began this season with a solid run in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow over a trip short of his best and was beaten into second by Colin's Sister in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last Saturday, giving the mare 7lb.

The handicapper has reacted by raising Wholestone 9lb and he is set to remain at Grade Two level at Newbury on December 1.

"I was delighted with Wholestone's run at Wetherby on Saturday. He is a lovely horse," said trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

"He will go off and compete in all those nice staying hurdles races that there are. Newbury will be next for him I imagine."

Owner Simon Munir is unhappy with the handicapper's treatment of Wholestone. He tweeted: "Brave Wholestone put up 9lbs for being beaten by a lower rated horse. Makes me wonder why we support conditions races - he is now off 155."