It was good to see UNITED (Ascot, 2.50) bounce back after a lengthy layoff and the grand mare can win again in the Grade 2 mares’ race at the big meeting on Saturday.
Lucy Wadham’s talented eight-year-old had been off the track since April in 2007, when she finished a respectable third in a Grade 1 event at Punchestown. She had previously run a blinder in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and had been impressive in victory in the Punchestown Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.
Clearly a classy horse, the long break was no inconvenience as she won in style at Haydock on her comeback. The mare travelled sweetly and posted a fine speed figure as she stayed on powerfully. It was a classy perfprmance and a repeat here today can see her Cheltenham-bound.
KANGAROO COURT (Ascot, 3.55) took to hurdling like a veteran and that despite taking a fierce hold early on. The winning Irish pointer eventually settled and finished in the style of a very good horse. He looks well worth following.
AURORAS ENCORE (Haydock, 3.00) could be overpriced in the Grade 2 novices’ chase at the Merseyside venue and warrants repect. Sue Smith’s charge was a decent hurdler and looked the part at Sedgefield three weeks ago when winning a competitve beginners’ chase. That will have teed him up for this and he could pop up at a tasty price with conditions to suit.