United given Stayers' test

Grade One-winning mare United will attempt to regain the winning thread when stepping up in distance in the betfredpoker.com Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

Lucy Wadham’s five-year-old has been out of luck since landing the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown in 2005, but hinted at a return to form when fifth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

Wadham’s charge is also entered in the Swinton on Saturday, but the trainer said: “United will go for the staying race.

“Ideally I would have liked to step her up to two and a half miles, but we’ll go for the two-miles-seven-and-a-half-furlong race – she is bred to stay the trip as there’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree.

“I think on good ground she probably needs further than two miles but it’s a bit of an experiment really.

“She actually stayed on quite well at Ayr last time – she made a mistake in the home straight but kept on well and was only beaten a head for fourth.

“It appears she has come out of the race really well and is in good form. She’s a versatile sort and the track and ground should be fine.”

Wadham will be represented in the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle, though, with Ken’s Dream, after he ran away with a maiden hurdle by 18 lengths at Plumpton last month.

“Ken’s Dream will run in the Swinton and is in great order at present. He’s a fresh horse and will love the good ground,” said Wadham.

“Leighton Aspell will ride both of mine and I think we go to Haydock with two decent each-way chances.”