Morgiana a T bone of contention

Katie T appears unlikely to be pitched against the big guns in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on November 16.

Kevin Prendergast’s dual-purpose mare won twice over hurdles last season, including a Grade Three at Limerick, and also finished third behind Annie Power in a Punchestown Grade One.

The five-year-old had her first start since May in a Flat handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday and admirably stuck to her guns to win by half a length.

Katie T is now set to return over jumps, but her programme is unlikely to include a tilt at the Morgiana.

Prendergast said: “She won nicely, and we were pleased with her considering it was her first run after being off for the summer.

“She’s in the Morgiana Hurdle, but I don’t think she’d run in that unless it cut up to maybe three runners and it looked like we could get some black type.

“I wouldn’t really want to be pitching her in against the big boys.

“If we don’t run in the Morgiana we’ll be looking at mares’ races through the winter and it would be great if we could end up at Cheltenham or Punchestown in the spring. That’s always the plan.

“She goes on faster ground and softer ground, so she’s fairly versatile.”