Aces set for Betfair outing
Aces Four remains on target for the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month after satisfying connections on his seasonal bow at Wetherby.
The eight-year-old travelled supremely well for much of the Charlie Hall Chase before blowing up badly three fences form home in a race won by Ollie Magern.
Aces Four was eventually pulled up by Graham Lee but trainer Ferdy Murphy reports the gelding to have returned home sound.
“It pleased us and confused us as well because Graham says he shows that much speed he is not convinced he will stay,” Murphy told Racing UK.
“I always felt, and I still do, that he will stay (three miles). He will improve an awful lot for that.
“He’s very gassy at home and we can’t work him that much. Last year first time out, he fell at Fakenham at the last when he was drunk.
“Graham said yesterday that if he got really tired he wasn’t going to deck him.
“He travelled into the straight really well, they went a good gallop and Graham did the sensible thing.
“The target has always been the King George and if he didn’t get the trip there, we could always step back for the Ryanair. But if he goes well in the King George, everybody’s dream is the Gold Cup.
“He had a hard enough season last year to get the experience into him so we wouldn’t overtax him this year.
“He’ll run in the Betfair next at Haydock (November 24) as long as it’s not too soft, then it will be the King George and one run before the Gold Cup - hopefully!”
