Sands back on track at Kilbeggan Ancient Sands makes his eagerly awaited reappearance following a winter break when carrying top-weight in the Like Kilbeggan Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Hurdle at the midlands venue on Friday. The six-year-old gelding proved something of a revelation when scoring five times in the space of less than two months under both codes last autumn, and trainer Joanna Morgan is hopeful there could be further improvement to come. The gelded son of Footstepsinthesand recorded handicap hurdle wins over two miles at both Down Royal and Ballinrobe before showing further progress to rattle off three wins on the Flat culminating in a valuable victory in the Woodlands 100 Club October Handicap at Naas. “He’s in good form, although he’s been a while off and is a bit burly,” said Morgan before adding “But the ground will be perfect for him, and I think he’s even stronger this year. He’s well handicapped over hurdles.” Ancient Sands had nearly five lengths to spare over Luimneach Abu when successful at Ballinrobe, and that rival is again in the line-up having also filled the runner-up spot over course and distance last month. Morgan enjoyed one of her greatest days in a lengthy and successful career as both a rider and trainer when saddling Roca Tumu to land the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, and Ancient Sands may also be heading to the Berkshire meeting next month. “I have half a notion of going to Royal Ascot with him. There are a couple of mile and a half handicaps there that could suit him,” said the Co. Meath handler. The Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Handicap Chase is the feature event on this seven-race card, and Aces And Kings should make a bold bid to follow up a convincing course and distance win last month. Owned, trained and bred by Willie Newman from Kells in Co. Meath, the ten-year-old gelding is on a hat-trick having previously also adopted front-running tactics to score at Tramore.
