January return for Jack

Crack Away Jack is moving ever nearer to a return to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

A classy performer over smaller obstacles, he was fourth in the 2009 champion hurdle, he has all the scope to make it to the top over fences.

Having won his first start over fences, he was second to Somersby in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase before running a perfectly respectable race in open company when fourth in the Desert Orchid Chase last Christmas.

He picked up a tendon injury after that event but his return is now only a few weeks away.

“I think at the moment the publication of the Programme Book would be helpful!” said his trainer Emma Lavelle.

“He’s in really good nick doing what he’s doing. He’s doing loads and loads of cantering and at the moment he is on course to be back on the track by the middle to the end of January.

“I’m desperate to know what options we have but at the moment we don’t know.

“He’s not been held up by the weather, I wouldn’t have been doing anything different than I had been but more snow next week wouldn’t be very helpful. At the moment he is definitely where I’d want to be.”