Aspire To Glory returned to Southwell on Wednesday night as he lined up against eleven rivals in the Class 6 Handicap (19:30) over seven furlongs.

It was his second run for new trainer Dylan Cunha and he was stepping back up in trip having ran over six furlongs on his previous appearance at the same track. Jockey Rhys Clutterbuck was in the saddle on board our five-year-old for the first time and he had a job on his hands from the off as Aspire To Glory was drawn wide in stall nine.

After a perhaps slightly sluggish start, Aspire To Glory had to use up quite a bit of energy early on to try get a good position, but he still ended up being caught wide for most of his trip. As the field turned for home, Aspire To Glory was one of the first off the bridle and despite Rhys' efforts to get a response, he was unable to pull out anymore in the closing stages and eventually came home in 11th place, beaten by nine and three quarter lengths.

Even the very best can take a couple of runs to bring them back to full fitness especially after a break, and it was clear our son of Cotai Glory was still in need of Wednesday's race. We caught up with trainer Dylan Cunha on Thursday and this is what he had to say:

"Aspire To Glory returned safely back to the yard after his run at Southwell on Wednesday and this morning he's pulled up fine. Rhys [jockey] said he probably had to do a bit too much from the draw and it cost him late. He was only beaten eight or nine lengths in the end and it probably looked worse than it was because he had to get out from the draw and then he got stuck wide.

He's come out of the race fine and next time he should be almost ready. He's had these two runs and that should get him spot on."

Stay tuned for the next update from Dylan and the team at Phantom House Stables as we look forward to Aspire To Glory's next run.