Miko De Beauchen may start out on Welsh National trail at Haydock
The eight-year-old, who is trained by Robert and Sally Alner, enjoyed a meteoric rise last term, highlighted by his Chepstow victory over the Christmas period.
Miko De Beauchene also bagged the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup and finished second in the ultra-competitive Pertemps Final over hurdles at Cheltenham, before finding quick ground against him when pulled up in the Scottish National.
Regular pilot Andrew Thornton had to miss those last two starts through injury but he is looking forward to renewing the partnership – be it in the Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle on Saturday or at Newbury in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle seven days later.
He said: “I’m not sure if he’ll run at Haydock yet as we’re just keeping our eye on the ground. He likes a bit of cut and the fact the brush hurdle race is on the chase track is a bonus.
“If he didn’t go to Haydock, he could go back to Newbury for the race he finished second in last year. After that, the plan is the Welsh National again.
“He’s in good form and has had a good summer break – he seems a bigger, stronger horse but he will need to have improved as he has gone up the ratings.”
Thornton believes Miko De Beauchene’s Ayr disappointment is best forgotten and expects him to shine once more with conditions in his favour.
“The ground had totally gone for him at Ayr and I think it just caught a few people out just how quick it was,” he added. “He came back from that A-OK, though, so it’s fingers crossed for this year.
“I was disappointed to miss out at Cheltenham and Ayr but I had a couple of big-race wins on him last year and although it will be difficult this year, hopefully there’s more to come.”
Miko De Beauchene is already as low as 20-1 for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next April.
