Horse Racing: Morrison planning Arch bid

The next week will be crucial for Marble Arch as trainer Hughie Morrison steps up the gelding’s work in a bid to prime his stable star for a tilt at next month’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Marble Arch has done little at home since being pulled up in the Tote Gold Trophy won by last Thursday’s Wincanton runner-up Copeland at Newbury earlier this month.

Morrison said: ‘‘The Tote Gold Trophy ended up being a total non-event.

‘‘With hindsight I can’t believe the race was handed to Copeland like it was it may seem cynical to say so but it was as if the other jockeys had said ’go on Tony (McCoy) and win it, we know you like winning’. Everyone saw at Wincanton that Copeland does not like being taken on.’’

Testing conditions were eventually put forward as the reason for Marble Arch’s below par display, but Morrison continued: ‘‘Marble Arch didn’t have a race although the jockey (Norman Williamson) was adamant the ground was against him.

‘‘I’m not so sure that was the case, because the time of the race wasn’t that slow. Maybe the horse just didn’t fire.’’

Looking ahead to Cheltenham, Morrison added: ‘‘Ruby Walsh has been booked to ride and I’m hoping to get the horse back to his best.

‘‘Over the next week or so I will be giving him some serious work, and provided he thrives on it we will go to the Festival with hope. If he didn’t, we’d have to think about plans again.’’

William Hill make Marble Arch a 20-1 chance to lift the hurdling crown.