One-time Derby favourite High Definition is ready to switch codes with new trainer Joseph O’Brien set to give him his jumping debut over the Christmas holiday.
The four-year-old colt has been entered in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown on December 26 where he would become one of the highest rated Flat recruits to race over obstacles if he runs.
On the Flat, High Definition was always highly regarded by Aidan O’Brien but after an unbeaten two-year-old campaign, in which he won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes, he failed to win another race.
He came within a neck of making the breakthrough at the top level when second to Alenquer in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May.
High Definition went to the Horses In Training sale in October where he was knocked down for 350,000gns to Avenue Bloodstock but remains in the ownership of Sue Magnier.
“High Definition still has his last bit of work to do before he runs,” said Joseph O’Brien. “We do intend to run him over the Christmas period. Whether it’s on Monday at Leopardstown or whether it is going to be later in the week we will have to see.
“I always find with Flat horses switching to hurdles, it’s racing over hurdles what counts as opposed to how they school in the morning. That’s what we are looking forward to seeing."
O'Brien said High Definition was the best horse from the Flat to join his jumping team since Housesofparliament, who was third in the 2016 St Leger. He won two jumps races, a novice and handicap hurdle.
He added: “In the past we had Sir Erec [Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler] who was high quality on the Flat who took to jumping well and Housesofparliament who didn’t take to it as well.”
