Golden Ace poised for weekend return, ground permitting

Jeremy Scott’s star mare Golden Ace could return to action at Wetherby on Saturday, if conditions prove favourable in West Yorkshire.

The daughter of Golden Horn gave connections an unforgettable afternoon at the Cheltenham Festival in March, landing the Champion Hurdle as a 25-1 shot having outperformed the likes of Constitution Hill, State Man and Brighterdaysahead in a dramatic renewal.

She then proved the performance was no fluke when second in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in early May, a fine run to cap a remarkable season for owner Ian Gosden.

A similar path will be mapped out, which may begin in the bet365 Mares’ Hurdle on Charlie Hall Chase day.

“She’s very well, I’ve just watched her work on the grass and she seems in very good form,” said Scott.

“I’d definitely want the ground at Wetherby to be on the softer side of good so we’ll have make sure the ground is OK, but otherwise the plan is to run her.”

Golden Ace is a mare who has generally come to hand in the latter stages of her campaign, but her preparation this year has been more straightforward than in the past and if early runs go well, all roads will lead back to Cheltenham.

Scott added: “This is the first time we’ve managed to get to this stage without having any real hiccups, we’re really happy with her.

“Naturally it all depends on how she runs throughout the season, but that (a Cheltenham return) is our plan at the moment.”