He needs tokeephis shoes on!
Milkwood’s performance in the Grade 3 County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival suggests compensation in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.
Neil Mulholland’s seven-year-old was third, beaten twoand-a-quarter lengths behind Belfast Banter, in a typically difficult Festival handicap.
He might have done better but for losing a left-hind shoe, and he will appreciate this afternoon’s prevailing better ground.
Wetlands goes into the handicap hurdle over two miles, fiveand-a-half furlongs, looking for a fourth straight win for Nicky Richards.
This 0-155 handicap represents a significant step up in grade, but as the top weight is rated 140, it could have been tougher.
The son of Westerner cruised into contention at Carlisle, and in the words of the post-race comments, won “in a canter.”
The Hands and Heels race for Conditionals and Amateurs brings the winner of the same race two ago, Castletown, back to Ayr.
Pauline Robson’s handicapper is nine now, but back over hurdles from fences, is racing from a workable handicap rating.