Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill are preparing two rising stars, Bill Joyce and Roadlesstravelled, for Grade One challenges during the Christmas period, as they aim to capitalise on their impressive starts to the season.
Bill Joyce, a dominant winner of the Grade Two Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown, will next tackle the prestigious Coral Challow Hurdle at Newbury on December 28.
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill said: “Bill Joyce won well the other day, and we’re thinking of the Challow for him. He’s earned the step-up, and it’s the right time to see where we are with him.”
“He handled the testing ground at Sandown, but we’re still figuring out his ideal conditions, which is a nice problem to have. We’ll throw him in at the deep end and see how he measures up.”
Meanwhile, Roadlesstravelled has showcased sharp form over two miles, most recently securing a Grade Two victory at Haydock. The performance gained further credibility when runner-up Country Mile boosted the form with a win at Cheltenham.
Roadlesstravelled will now step up to Grade One company in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, conditions permitting.
“Roadlesstravelled looks a bit sharper, and he’ll go to Aintree as long as the ground isn’t too bad,” O’Neill said. “His form was boosted the other day, but I’m cautious as the leader went quickly in that race.”
“Still, the handicapper added 3lb, so I hope the form holds up as well as it looks.”
With both horses poised for high-level tests, the O’Neill team is eager to see how their exciting prospects fare against elite competition.