Sayce Gold and Darragh O'Keeffe© Photo Healy Racing
Sayce Gold has been enjoying a break since putting in a disappointing performance when seeking a four-timer at Thurles last month.
Trainer Mick Winters felt the time was right to freshen up the eight-year-old mare when her winning streak came to an end after three victories at Fairyhouse, Thurles and Cork over distances from two to three miles.
Winters expects Sayce Gold, who is owned by Trevor Hemmings, to be ready to run in five weeks’ time and she has been given an entry at the Cheltenham Festival in the Grade One Close Brothers’ Mares’ Hurdle, registered as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
The Cork trainer said: “There were a lot of small issues — probably maybe going to the well again a bit soon, the ground and maybe the mare on the day she may have needed a break and freshening up.
“She’s been entered for the Mares’ Hurdle in Cheltenham. If you’re not in you can’t win, but we can decide whether to go or not. Mick Meagher, Mr Hemmings’ racing manager, said they just wanted the option of Cheltenham so the entry was made.”
He added: “We’re happy with her. There’s nothing concrete yet because we’re just starting to ride her out again. She’s doing a bit of road work and lobbing about on the gallops.
“In about five weeks’ time she’ll be ready to be running.”
