Mighty Man shines in Bangor

Henry Daly was thrilled with World Hurdle aspirant Mighty Man following a pleasing workout after racing at Bangor on Wednesday.

Daly's rejuvenated nine-year-old, who has been sidelined since running at Punchestown in April 2007, galloped about a mile and a half with stable companion Boomerang.

Mighty Man, runner up to Inglis Drever in the 2007 World Hurdle at Cheltenham, was partnered by Richard Johnson.

Daly said: "Richard was very happy with Mighty Man - he said that you would not know there had been anything wrong with him.

"When you saw him walking around beforehand, you could see he is a horse who loves being at a racehorse.

"We will see where we are in the morning and the plan is to go to Cheltenham.

"Boomerang will go for either the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle or the two-and-a-half-miler (Coral Cup)."

Nicky Richards was also delighted with the way his five Cheltenham hopefuls, led by stablestar Monet's Garden, were put through their paces.

Noble Alan, According To John, Middleton Dene and Premier Dane completed the quintet, who worked a similar distance to that of Mighty Man and Boomerang.

Richards' Festival contenders finished in a bunch in the gathering gloom, with all seemingly full of running.

The Greystoke trainer said: "They looked good coming swinging down the straight here and I hope they look that good in two weeks' time (at Cheltenham).

"Brian (Harding) said he never knows how fast Monet's Garden is going as he travels so easily.

"The old horse is in great nick and he will go for the Ryanair.

"The plan is for Noble Alan and Premier Dane to go for the County Hurdle.

"According To John will run in the William Hill Trophy and Middleton Dene will go for the Pertemps Final.

"It is only a two-and-a-half-hour journey down here from the stable, so it is a nice day out for the horses.

"It was nothing serious, but it will have done them good and I can just keep them ticking over at home now."