PAUL NICHOLLS could have the Weatherbys Champion Bumper within his grasp after owner John Hales had a change of heart about Newbury scorer Al Ferof.
In his post-race interview, Nicholls said that Al Ferof would be put away for an autumn hurdle campaign rather than face a rematch with second-placed Made In Time at Cheltenham.
However Hales, who bought the French bred five-year-old from Liz Doyle in the middle of January, has now put a trip to the Festival firmly on Al Ferof's agenda.
"John said to me before that he wanted to keep him for hurdling," said Nicholls.
"I think he went out last night, had a few drinks, slept on it and a lot of different advisors came out of the woodwork and gave their opinions and he thought, well yeah why not."
Saturday's ground was officially described as good to soft and Nicholls added that Al Ferof would not run at Cheltenham if the ground was too quick and reiterated his high-regard for the three-time winner.