Black Jack Back At Kempton

Black Jack Ketchum is set to drop down to two miles for his seasonal reappearance in Sunday's WBX.COM Hurdle at Kempton.

Connections of the much-talked-about gelding are keen to see him regain confidence and last home after failing to shine on his most recent outings.

The brilliant winner of the 2006 Brit Insurance Hurdle won his first start of last season but did little thereafter, falling at the Cheltenham Festival and proving no match for Mighty Man at Aintree.

However, trainer Jonjo O'Neill has given Black Jack Ketchum a wind operation that he hopes could see him back to his old self.

'He had a disappointing season last year and we did not know what the matter with him was ? he just stopped dead,' said the master of Jackdaws Castle.

'We discovered a soft palette problem and gave him an operation. He's in grand form and might go to Kempton now for a two-mile race.

'I wouldn't think he will stay at that trip, we will build him up, and then there are races like a two-mile-three hurdle at Ascot.'

Regular rider Tony McCoy added: 'He's a good traveller with lots of speed, but we want to start at two miles so he can finish a race off properly. Then we can work him back up gradually.'

(C) PA Sport