Busy return for Tikram

Tikram could have as many as three races next month as he attempts to make up for lost time after being off the track since April.

The eight-year-old is back in training at trainer Gary Moore’s Brighton yard after recovering from a successful operation to have a tumour removed from the back of his head.

“He’s great, he’s just come back with me a fortnight ago and looks fantastic,” said Moore.

“He had a tumour in the back of his head drilled out. It was at the back of his sinuses.

“He’s started cantring and is in great order. I couldn’t be more pleased with him. He’s a very happy horse.

“We’ll see him back on the racecourse in January all being well.”

“There’s a race at Cheltenham for him, then he’ll probably go to Sandown and then on for the Sky Bet Chase that he ran in at Doncaster last season.”

Tikram was second to Colourful Life in that three-mile handicap in January and followed up with decent efforts in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton and the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

He wound up the campaign beating Impek in a handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles at Sandown in April.

Moore added: “He’s got a lot of catching up to do. He’s not getting any younger.

“He’s been in another yard doing his prep work now he’s back with me.”