Shifnal businessman toasts big Cheltenham win

Shropshire's Cheltenham Festival hero could return to the racetrack before the end of the season.

Shifnal's Allan Stennett, owner of Salut Flo who made all the running in winning yesterday 2m 5f Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase, said that his seven-year-old could be targeted at one of two major National Hunt meetings in the next six weeks.

But much will depend on his discussions with trainer David Pipe over the next few days.

"I need to check with David today that everything is fine but hopefully it will be because the ground wasn't dangerous and he hardly put a foot wrong," said a delighted Stennett, whose charge was sent off the 9-2 favourite.

"Aintree is three weeks away from Cheltenham this year so that could be an option, as could be the Punchestown Festival."

Meanwhile, Pipe has praised Stennett for his patience in waiting for the Festival after Salut Flo made a costly error when well placed to win at Cheltenham in December.

"Fate has probably played a really massive part in that win as if he had not made the bad mistake in December he might have won that race and would not have been that well handicapped in this race, let alone winning it," said Pipe.

"I had to beg his owner Allan Stennett to be patient and wait for the race - and that takes some doing as it's a long time between December and March - but he agreed and here we are standing in the winner's circle."