Libberty Hunter poised to take aim at Sir Gino
Evan Williams’ Libberty Hunter is set to take aim at Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase providing the ground remains soft.
The nine-year-old was the runner-up of the Grand Annual last season and then third in the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree, the highlights of a profitable novice campaign.
He returned to action this season to contest a Cheltenham handicap in December and immediately picked up where he left off, prevailing by four lengths under Harry Cobden on a good to soft surface.
The Clarence House was discussed as a next port of call, but that dismissed when the ground became too quick for him to be seen at his best.
The Game Spirit is now the aim instead should the weather cooperate, the Grade Two at Newbury on Saturday which is the intended destination for Nicky Henderson’s Arkle favourite Sir Gino.
“He’s grand, as long as the ground stays soft then we’ll be going to Newbury on Saturday,” said Williams.
“It went good at Ascot and I wouldn’t run him if the ground was good, but if the ground is soft then we’ll go for it.
“It’ll be tough for him wherever he goes now so we’ve got to be there, it’s as simple as that.
“As long as the ground is all right we’ll give it a go.”
Williams has another nice prospect in Juby Ball, also owned by the Ruckers, a six-year-old last seen winning his hurdles debut by four lengths.
Prior to that he had some useful bumper form having won at the first time of asking before taking second place behind subsequent Grade Two winner Sixmilebridge next time out.
After his pleasing first hurdles attempt the gelding holds two entries for the weekend and is currently in the mix for a two-mile Chepstow contest and a Listed event at Exeter over half a furlong further.
“He won a maiden hurdle nicely and he’s been in good form since,” said Williams.
“He’s in at Exeter and he’s in at Chester over the weekend, we’ll just keep an eye on the ground.
“He’ll want a bit of cut in the ground, as long as there’s soft ground at one of these places, we’ll be there.”
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