Fergal O'Brien is to give Poetic Rhythm a break to try to regain lost confidence after an uninspiring start to his chase career.
Winner of the Grade One Challow Hurdle last season,Poetic Rhythm has not appeared to adapt well to fences this term. After his Grade One success, he was unplaced in his next two races over hurdles - both at Cheltenham - and then in two autumn novice chases, he failed to show any spark.
O'Brien intends to send the eight-year-old back hurdling - but only after a break.
He said: "We have just sent him away for a bit to try to get his confidence back a bit. Those two chase starts did knock it back a little bit. We will go back hurdling with him when he returns, and we will see how that goes. There is no set plan for him at this stage."
