Smith waits on Material World workout

Material World faces a crucial workout on Wednesday as she continues her return from injury.

The nine-year-old mare shone for trainer Suzy Smith last term, winning a competitive event at Cheltenham before finishing third in a Grade Two heat at Haydock.

Material World was also a creditable half-length second behind Oscar Park in the Pertemps Final at the Festival but suffered an injury in the process.

Smith explained: “She suffered a stress fracture of her pelvis at Cheltenham so she’s a bit further behind than some of the other horses.

“It was a bit of a shame really as she didn’t finish that far behind the winner and you would hope she would have been even closer, but for the injury.”

Although Material World is entered in Saturday’s totesport.com Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, Smith is uncertain as to whether her stable star will line up in the extended three-mile feature.

“We haven’t made a decision yet – we want to see how she goes in her final piece of work before we decide,” she added.

“There’s no problem with the race but we want to see where we are fitness-wise. She schooled well this morning but whether she is a couple of pieces short, we will have to see.

“The plan is to go for the Long Walk Hurdle (at Ascot on December 22) and ideally you would like a run somewhere before that but it will depend on fitness.”