Hero set for break

Local Hero is set for a mid-winter break after rain scuppered his chances in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

Steve Gollings’ dual-purpose performer landed two valuable handicaps at Market Rasen in the summer, either side of running a decent race on the Flat at Chester.

However, overnight rain in Somerset turned the ground against him and Gollings did not hold out much hope for success in the race won by Zarkandar.

“To be honest I think he’s going on a break now,” said Gollings.

“It was a long way overnight from Lincolnshire yet unfortunately we knew our fate after five millimetres of overnight rain fell.

“The ground went very sticky but it’s swings and roundabouts because we got our ground when we won the two valuable handicaps at Market Rasen in the summer.

“We’ll just play it by ear, I’ll sit down with his owner and make a plan but I’d have thought it will be the spring before he’s out again.

“He’s in good form with himself, which is the main thing, he came back without any bumps and bruises.”