Jack back on track

Jack The Giant makes his eagerly-awaited return to the track at Ascot on Saturday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old, third in the 2007 Arkle, has been out of action since winning at Leicester in January but is given the chance to shine in the Carey Group Handicap Chase.

“I would have liked to have gone to the Paddy Power – that was the original plan – but he’s always been a horse that must have good ground and it was always going to be too soft at Cheltenham,” said Henderson.

“We are going to come back to two miles at Ascot, but we have to get him back on the racecourse.

“He’s in very good order. He’s in everything and I don’t know how far he is going to get at the end of the day.”

Jack The Giant was considered a serious Cheltenham Festival candidate after his Leicester triumph, before which he exploited a lenient handicap mark over hurdles to land The Ladbroke at Ascot.

Henderson’s smart gelding sustained a knee-ligament injury though and will be making his comeback in Berkshire after a 319-day absence.

Barry Geraghty has high hopes of a big show as the Irish rider takes the mount for the first time.

“I’ve schooled him and he jumped brilliantly,” said Geraghty.

“I’m really looking forward to riding him on his first run back and I’d be hopeful he’d run well.”