Church bids for quick double

Michael Hourigan is hopeful Church Island can secure his second British victory in just over a week when he lines up in the totescoop6 Veterans’ Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old ended a winless streak which stretched back three years when scoring at Doncaster last Wednesday and his Co Limerick handler reports him to have come out of that performance fighting fit.

The gelding tackles an extra couple of furlongs at Newbury but Hourigan is still confident of another bold show.

“He came out of the Doncaster race in great nick so we have decided to get him out again as these races are great opportunities for horses like him,” said Hourigan.

“He was really smart as a novice a few years back but he has had one or two problems. He seems to be over them now and we’ll just keep going with him.

“The ground and the track will be similar to Doncaster and although it is another two furlongs, I hope he will run another big race.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this race but he is in a couple of races at Cheltenham. We’ll have a look at that but he could run in the Irish National instead.”