GIANT killer Cornerstone Lad will stake his Champion Hurdle claim at Haydock on Saturday.
Micky Hammond’s stable star downed Buveur D’Air in a huge Fighting Fifth upset at Newcastle in November.
And the rapidly progressive speedster will seek to book his ticket to Cheltenham in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Trial this weekend, for which he is 11-2 with the sponsors.
Middleham-based Hammond reported that Cornerstone Lad’s preparation for 75,000 Grade 2 had gone smoothly.
He has won each of his three starts so far this campaign, and if he extends that run the 40-1 about him for the Champion Hurdle is unlikely to last long.
Hammond told Sun Racing: “It was a great day at Newcastle. We said then that we’d keep him fresh for the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial and all has gone to plan.
“He took his run in the Fighting Fifth run really well and he seems to be in fine form. He had a racecourse gallop at Wetherby on Saturday after racing so we are looking forward to getting him out again now.
“He has done nothing but progress all year and I think he is open to more improvement yet.
“He has won around Haydock before and he’s had good form on similar tracks, so it’s a test which should suit him well, and the ground should be very suitable this weekend.
“We entered him for the Champion Hurdle a few weeks ago, so we’ll see how he goes on Saturday before nailing down plans.”
