Mick Channon is looking forward to increasing his working relationship with Henrietta Knight once he takes delivery of the bulk of her National Hunt string.
Channon is more renowned for having winners at Royal Ascot, but following three-times Gold Cup-winning trainer Knight's decision to relinquish her licence, the West Ilsley handler is set to expand his jumping interests.
Knight, 65, has decided to call it a day due to the ill health of her husband, former jockey Terry Biddlecombe, who suffered a stroke last October, and Channon is only too happy to come to the couple's aid.
"Through no fault of her own, Hen has been put in a very difficult spot. We hoped Terry would recover all the time," he told Racing UK.
"Me and Hen have worked together for years, I can remember her schooling Halicarnassus for us a few years ago and smashing her hurdles to pieces.
"She had a beautiful schooling ground and I would take a Flat horse over there and flatten her hurdles, but she persevered and helped that horse win a lot of money for us - he won 800 grand.
"We have been doing it for a few years. We have a few jumpers and we have worked together even back to the days of Best Mate.
"It's exciting. Whatever Hen wants to do, I'm up for really.
"We have got five yards at West Ilsley so it's not like we don't have enough room to do it, and Hen's keen to keep some interest. I'm up to help all I can."
David Elsworth was initially more famous for saddling the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Desert Orchid before switching his sights to the Flat, and Channon would be delighted to equal his exploits.
"Elsie was brilliant, let's be fair - I'll settle for that now!" he added.
