Blazing Bailey set for Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle Alan King confirmed today that he is aiming his star hurdler Blazing Bailey at the Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday, April 24. The six-year-old - who is 5/2 favourite for the Punchestown contest with Ladbrokes - finished a staying-on fourth in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, before going on to a Grade 2 success in the John Smith?s Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on April 3. King was worried immediately after Blazing Bailey?s Aintree triumph about a gash on the horse?s hind leg sustained during the race, but reports the injury to have cleared up ahead of the trip across the Irish Sea. "Blazing Bailey is likely to go to Punchestown for the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle. He?s come out of Aintree well and the gash on his leg was nothing really. He?s fine and is in good form," said King. "I see he?s been made favourite by Ladbrokes and I think he will have a strong chance in the race." Blazing Bailey finished six lengths ahead of Faasel at Aintree, but trainer Nicky Richards is hoping that his consistent seven-year-old will run a big race in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle, for which he is 8/1 with the sponsor. Richards commented: "All being well, Faasel will take his chance in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown. He?s come out of his race at Aintree well and everything seems fine with him. "We missed the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on purpose and it nearly paid dividends for us at Aintree. He ran a tremendous race and it?s never easy to win against the top hurdlers. "He?s always been a spring horse and this is his time of year. Hopefully, he?ll go to Punchestown and run another good race."
