Champion test for Dark

Improving hurdler set for Leopardstown return

Last updated: 1st January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Won In The Dark

Won In The Dark
We were delighted with the run...all things considered we were over the moon.

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Won In The Dark could test his Cheltenham credentials in the Toshiba Champion Hurdle on January 25 according to trainer Sabrina Harty.

However, the five-year-old will only run if the ground is suitable and will head straight for the Champion Hurdle in March if the going comes up too soft at Leopardstown.

Won In The Dark put himself on the fringe of championship contention by chasing home Sublimity in the December Festival Hurdle over Christmas, and is clearly on the up.

"He's come out of the race fine and he's been out in the field bucking and kicking," said Harty.

"We were delighted with the run. It would have suited him had they gone a proper gallop from the start as he stays really well and he has a bit of toe as well. All things considered we were over the moon.

"Hopefully he'll go for the Irish Champion Hurdle, but it depends on the going. We don't want to run him on heavy ground as he can't handle it. If it came up half-decent I suppose we'd probably go there.

"If he didn't, we'd give him racecourse gallop or something like that to try to get him to Cheltenham in one piece.

"That's the target. The longer trip and a stronger gallop should suit him. He handles the track well over there and he's a good traveller."