Defense To Go An Attack Over Hurdles

Emma Lavelle has revealed Self Defense will go hurdling again this winter - but may not line up for the Champion Hurdle for a fourth consecutive year.

The eight-year-old returned to his best when finishing three-quarters of a length behind Day Flight in the Group Three Stan James St Simon Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Third-placed Munsef was five lengths further in arrears to leave Self Defense´s handler eyeing another profitable campaign over the timber.

'The poor lad must have been sick of the sight of seeing Mubtaker´s behind so I´m over the moon he´s reversed the form so emphatically,' said Lavelle.

'You can draw a line through the Newmarket (he finished seventh behind Munsef in the Fishpools Furnishings Godolphin Stakes) race because they went too fast and that didn´t suit him.

'It wasn´t entirely unexpected for him to run so well.'

The Warning gelding was last seen over the obstacles finishing four lengths behind Rooster Booster in the Concept Hurdle at Sandown in April.

And although Self Defense finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2003, Lavelle believes her star performer may be better suited elsewhere.

'He´s just a phenomenal horse and I´m lucky to have such a versatile sort,' she added.

'He´ll go hurdling now and I´ll be sitting down with the owners to map out a plan for him.

'I´m not convinced the Champion Hurdle is where he will end up yet though.

'He did finish fourth in it two years ago but the last two times things haven´t really worked out.

'It could be he´s in the form of his life now so that is something that will become clearer as the months go by.'

(C) PA Sport