Honeysuckle's brother off the mark over flights Keiran Burke is prepared to roll the dice at Aintree with Last Royal, who scooted clear to win in style at Wincanton yesterday. Nick Scholfield had an easy spin on the seven-year-old bumper winner, a full-brother to Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle, who got off the mark at the sixth attempt over obstacles, earning a 42-length success in the the Racing TV Profits Returned Back To Racing Novices’ Hurdle. His rider kept things simple, making all on the 8-13 favourite to record his 50th winner of the season. Burke is now eyeing a step up in class and trip. He said: “Finally the penny is starting to drop. We have just been unlucky. The trainer has found the wrong races for him! He is a proper horse, but he it has just taken us time to figure him out and work everything out. “Do we run in another one under a penalty or do we step him right up and have a go? The owners and breeders are not too scared to have a pop. “He is probably better over three miles, so if we do go anywhere, we are going to step him right up and go to Aintree for the three-mile novice hurdle. We are tempted because he has shown us so much at home. “I think I’ve got it wrong more than anything, and the step up to three miles is only going to be a help. Whether he is good enough for a Grade One or not, we don’t know until we try. “Whatever he does over hurdle this year, he will make a better chaser next year… hopefully.”
