Wylie Hopeful On Drever´s Return

Owner Graham Wylie is 'hopeful but not optimistic' about Inglis Drever´s chances in the John Smith´s Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday.

The Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner is reported to be 'well in himself' ahead of his first outing since finishing second behind Al Eile in the Scottish And Newcastle Aintree Hurdle in April.

But as Howard Johnson´s yard has yet to start firing on all cylinders, Wylie has issued a note of caution ahead of the three-mile-one-furlong contest.

'The stable is under a bit of a cloud at the moment and when that is the case, it is always a bit difficult to get too excited,' said Wylie.

'He seems to be really well in himself and it will be great to see Drever back in action.

'But because the yard is not quite in top form, we are just going to go there and see what happens.'

Prior to his run at Aintree in April, Johnson´s six-year-old registered three consecutive victories that included a three-length defeat of Baracouda in the World Hurdle.

With that victory at the Cheltenham Festival and successes at Haydock and Wincanton, Inglis Drever also claimed the British Horseracing Board Order of Merit title - earning a #300,000 bonus for connections in the process.

And after a promising gallop at Newcastle last Wednesday, Wylie insists the testing conditions at the West Yorkshire venue - the ground is currently soft - are not likely to work against the In The Wings gelding.

'He´s summered really well and seems as sharp as ever,' added Wylie.

'The thing with Drever is that he´s such a tough and versatile horse so we´d have no problems running him on the ground.

'He had a decent gallop at Newcastle last week and though he was blowing a bit, that was to be expected.

'It´s just a bit of shame about the yard but I´d rather we be firing next March rather than now.'

Although all roads are likely lead to Cheltenham again next year, Wylie refused to be drawn on Inglis Drever´s long-term plans.

'It is far too early to be making plans about Cheltenham and but he should be in for another good season,' said the North East businessman.

'My only reservation would be running him at a right-handed track.

'When he won at Wincanton last year it was a bit heart in your mouth time but other than going right-handed, anything is possible.

'The horse is in good form but we are going to Wetherby hopeful but not optimistic.'

? PA Sport