We did have Aspire To Glory in a race at Kempton this Wednesday, it was just an option following his run at Ffos Las. As it turned out, there were a couple of reasons why we didn’t declare him on Monday.

Firstly, we just felt it would have come a bit too soon after the run in Wales. You never quite know how much the travelling and the race can take out of a horse and nine days between races may not have been long enough for a young horse, so we decided to give him more time. We’re also due – finally! – some better weather, so we can look to get him out in the next 10 days or so, and by then we should have some better ground.

Another reason why we decided against Kempton was that he’s actually been dropped two pounds by the handicapper. He’s now rated 57 but he would have run off his old mark of 59 at Kempton, meaning he would have carried more weight than his correct rating.

So we’ll wait a bit longer, get some better ground, and look for a nice opportunity off that mark of 57. He’s all well, and we can keep him ticking over at home and look forward to his next run, we certainly haven’t lost any confidence in this horse. 

Alice Haynes, Coral Racing Club Trainer