Song For Someone to test Champion Hurdle credentials in the International at Cheltenham on Saturday

RISING star Song For Someone is ready to hit the high notes in Saturday’s International Hurdle.

Tom Symonds’ five-year-old emerged as a lively outsider for the Champion Hurdle following his easy Coral Hurdle win at Ascot last month.

The five-year-old produced a career best when hammering Call Me Lord and Laurina on his first run since February.

And trainer Symonds, who rides the horse out each morning, reckons he has more to offer on the big stage.

He told Sun Racing: “He schooled on Wednesday morning and we are very pleased with him. He’s becoming a man now.

“We would have ideally liked a little bit more rain ahead of Saturday, but the plan is to run.

“It would either be Cheltenham on Saturday or the Christmas Hurdle against Epatante, so there is no easy path for a horse like him.

“The stiffer the track over two miles the better for him, too. I was astounded he was able to win the Kingwell at Kempton. That shows his level of ability.”

Coral make Song For Someone the 9-2 second favourite behind 2-1 jolly Goshen for the International, which is a key Champion Hurdle trial.

The Festival feature wasn’t originally on Symonds’ radar – but that could change come Saturday evening.

Symonds continued: “I’m well aware he could run the race of his life on Saturday and not win because he has to carry a penalty against Goshen and Verdana Blue.

“But he is still improving and he is still a young horse. How he runs will dictate where we go this season.

“I’d been thinking about skipping Cheltenham and running him fresh over 2m4f at Aintree.

“But if he shows us he is a Champion Hurdle horse this weekend then that’s a lovely position to be in.”