Ewart Hurdler To Return To Form At Wetherby

Horse Racing

Gelding Set To Show The Benefit Of Operation

Handicappers often come up against each other on more than one occasion and the runnings of ARISTO DU PLESSIS and CORNERSTONE LAD can give a hint to changing fortunes and, hopefully a winner.

They ran against each other twice in December last year and in the first, the James Ewart trained Aristo Du Plesssis gave his rival 3lb and a two lengths beating.

In the second he gave him 8lb and went down by about nine lengths and in those races conditions were the same or similar and were like today’s.

That makes them roughly the same horse yet in April they met again and the latter won, with Aristo back 20 lengths getting 7lb.

If form is anything, that is a deterioration of over two stones and it is hoped, and not least for the horse’s good, that it was caused by a wind condition that was rectified by wind surgery in late August.

Certainly the horse appeared rejuvenated on his reappearance in November, running a five lengths fourth in a Class 3 over today’s course and distance after over six months off the course.

He gets 19lb off Cornerstone Lad this afternoon and that would have made him look a good thing last year.

The pair are first and second on BTO regular and speed ratings and, with THEATRE LEGEND, can dominate the race.

All three go on the ground, with Aristo du Plessis and Cornerstone Lad having outstanding sire/progeny figures on it of 26% and 30%,.

All three love Wetherby, with five wins and numerous placings from 13 runs between them.

DALI MAIL also returns after a wind operation and YCCS PORTOCERVO is being backed but if the operation has worked on Aristo Du Plessis and he is anywhere near the form of last year he can take this at 7/2.

G Lees

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