"This is a flying machine" - Barton Snow being primed for Champion test in March
Hunter Chase winner Barton Snow, trained by Joe O'Shea, is being prepared for a potential run in either the Champion Hurdle or Champion Chase at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival. O'Shea, bullish about Barton Snow's prospects after strong victories at Cheltenham and Aintree, is confident in the horse’s abilities but acknowledges bookmakers and even owners are skeptical, offering long odds. O'Shea remains enthusiastic about Barton Snow’s condition following a productive break and aims for another standout season.
- Barton Snow to target 2027 Champion Hurdle or Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival
- Trainer Joe O'Shea confident after strong 2026 wins, despite bookies offering long odds
- Horse is reported to be stronger after a break and is returning with high expectations
Hunter Chase winner Barton Snow will run in either the Champion Hurdle or the Champion Chase when he returns to Cheltenham in 2027, according to trainer Joe O'Shea.
O'Shea, a stalwart of the point-to-point ranks, claimed he would return at the end of the season when Barton Snow won the 2026 Hunter's Chase. Henry Crow sat unmoved in the saddle as O'Shea's star pulled alongside It's On The Line approaching the final flight and still hadn't reached for the persuader as he crossed the line a narrow winner. Barton Snow then backed up that performance at Aintree, flattening his rivals to score by seven lengths.
The 68-year-old, who is never short of a sound bite or two when the media is involved, has revealed an ambitious plan for Barton Snow this season, which could see the ten-year-old line up in the championship feature on day one or two of the 2027 Cheltenham Festival.
"The owners have been on to me and said where do you want to go this season so I said let’s go and win the Champion Hurdle," O’Shea told the press this week.
"I’ll win a couple of point-to-points and a Hunter Chase and send him into training 15 days before. We would send him to Laura Morgan, win the Champion Hurdle. If he gets beat I’ll have him back for Aintree. And if not the Champion Hurdle then we will go for the Champion Chase – one of those two."
"I have told the owners we’ve got the Cheltenham winner in Boley Bob. ‘You are going to win it anyway’ I told them as it’s the same owners. That or be second to Barton Snow (if they send him there)."
"But I’m telling you this is a flying machine. He is unbelievable. An absolutely amazing horse and we see it every day."
Barton Snow is now back in training with O'Shea, who sent his stable star to Sheriff Hutton for his seasonal reappearance last January. O'Shea is delighted with how his gelding has summered and can't wait to see Barton Snow back on the racecourse.
"He looks better than ever," O'Shea continued. "We’ve just upped him a gear this week, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. He has never failed to surprise me. He is only a little horse, but he has matured and the five months he has had off have done him the world of good."
"He hasn’t got bigger, but he’s got stronger and we are absolutely over the moon with him. We have just moved up and done his trotting and now he has started cantering and away we go."
O'Shea revealed that Barton Snow's owners laughed when he told them about his Champion Hurdle dream, and the bookmakers aren't taking Joe's contender seriously either. bet365 is currently offering 66/1 about Barton Snow winning the 2027 Champion Chase and 100/1 in the 2027 Champion Hurdle betting.
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