Lucky William© Photo Healy Racing
Lucky William is out to redeem himself in the Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday after falling on his return to fencing at Gowran three weeks ago.
The talented 10-year-old beat Blackstairmountain and First Lieutenant to win the Grade One Ryanair Chase at Punchestown in April 2012, but then had almost 26 months off the track.
After being tailed off over hurdles on his comeback run at Tipperary in July, he only got as far as the third fence in the PWC Champion Chase won by Sizing Europe.
Tralee-based trainer Tom Cooper "He had an unfortunate fall in Gowran, but came out of it fine and I've managed to get him going again. He's in good order and he's as fit as I can get him without another run."
Connections of Uxizandre are hoping the six-year-old can start the season the way he ended the last campaign, with victory at Aintree.
The Alan King-trained gelding signed off for 2013-14 by beating Oscar Whisky in the Grade One Manifesto Novices' Chase at the Liverpool track and now takes on seasoned performers.
"He's in good form. It's his first run of the season and we're hoping for a good run," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.
"He took to the place well when he won there in the spring and Alan's very happy with him."
King is excited at getting Uxizandre up and running for the new campaign.
"We are all looking forward to getting the horse rolling again," the Barbury Castle trainer said.
"He enjoyed a terrific novice season, just being beaten at Cheltenham (in the JLT Novices' Chase) but going one better in the Grade One at the Aintree Festival.
"He definitely seems to have improved since we changed the tactics and rode him more aggressively, and a left-handed track seems to suit him best, so this looks the ideal starting-point and we can then think about the Paddy Power (at Cheltenham on November 15)."
