Senora set for Wetherby return

Batman Senora could return to action in the John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday.

The eight-year-old suffered an injury on his most recent outing, when he finished last of seven in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in June, but he is now reported by trainer Ian Williams to be in good form.

“It’s early days to say, but he’s a possible runner at Wetherby,” Williams said.

“He’s done well, but he had an injury which he’s hopefully recovered from. He picked up a small stress fracture in his knee.

“He spent some time off during the summer and he’s in good form now.”

Batman Senora has done most of his racing at Auteuil and he will be going on his travels again soon.

“This is a prep race for something later on in France,” Williams added.

A total of 11 entries were received for the £40,000 Grade Two contest at today’s five-day stage.

Howard Johnson has not put his highly promising stayer Royal Rosa into the three-mile-one-furlong race, but the County Durham trainer has entered Inching Closer.

Other interesting entries include Stayers’ Hurdle third Crystal D’Ainay from Alan King’s yard, Peter Bowen’s totesport Cesarewitch runner-up Mr Ed and Jonjo O’Neill’s duo Native Emperor and Sh Boom.

Mr Ed is none the worse for his fine effort on testing ground at Newmarket, where he was beaten just half a length by Contact Dancer, and has a choice of engagements on Saturday.

“He’ll either go to Chepstow or to Wetherby,” Bowen said.

“He’s a lovely horse to have and he’s in really good form. The ground doesn’t seem to matter to him, especially the way he handled Newmarket – that was pretty horrendous.”

John Smith’s Hurdle entries: Batman Senora, Crystal D’Ainay, Gadz’art, Grey Report, Inching Closer, Mr Ed, Native Emperor, Sh Boom, St Matthew, Telemoss and Vicars Destiny.