3 minute read
Connections of Aubusson, generally 10-1 for Saturday's Betfair-backed Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, are optimistic of a positive effort.
But have warned his participation will be in doubt if conditions become too testing.
The ground at Haydock is described as soft, good to soft in places with showers forecast on Friday and Saturday and owner Jane Williams, whose husband Nick trains the five-year-old, said: "Aubusson will go for the Fixed Brush Hurdle providing the ground does not come up heavy.
"I was really pleased with his reappearance at Chepstow and his preparation has gone very well since then.
"I was slightly surprised that a lot of the media thought he wouldn't have won at Chepstow. They thought the winner Shelford was a brilliant horse, but Aubusson would have got the better of him had he not missed the last."I was thrilled with the run. He has gone up 6lb though which is never ideal, especially after finishing second like that."
Williams, whose daughter Lizzie Kelly had a memorable day in the saddle when winning on Aubusson at Cheltenham in January, added: "I would be anxious about three miles on heavy ground, but the ground is soft at the moment and forecast is not too bad this week. I can't see it being any worse than it is now so we will see how we get on."
The Fixed Brush Hurdle is worth £80,000 and was won by the Williams yard with Diamond Harry in 2009.