Truckers starts out over hurdles

Smart chaser Truckers Tavern will be out to take advantage of a lenient handicap mark over hurdles when he appears at Ayr on Sunday.

Ferdy Murphy’s gelding was successfully operated on for a wind ailment in the summer, and if all goes well, he could tackle the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 27 if the ground comes up soft.

The nine-year-old, who was largely disappointing last season after his superb second in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2003, had been due to reappear in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last weekend.

However, Truckers Tavern will instead get his campaign up and running in the Famous Grouse Handicap Hurdle at the Scottish track. Tony Dobbin has been booked to ride.

“He’s a massive horse who is very difficult to get fit and the opportunities for him over fences are strictly limited because of his high rating,” said the Leyburn trainer.

“He wasn’t ready for the Charlie Hall Chase but ideally his hurdling exploits will help put the edge on him for the Hennessy, and I’m keen to go there if there’s some cut in the ground.”