Cinders And Ashes withdrawn from Aintree
Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner, Cinders And Ashes, is no more a part of next month’s Grand National, as his name has been withdrawn from the Aintree marathon.
Donald McCain’s trainee is set for a long summer break, with next year’s Stan James Champion Hurdle as his subsequent big target.
Writing on his Betfair blog, McCain said that after long discussions, the connections have decided to give a break to the five-year-old.
He disclosed:
"After a discussion with the owners, it has been decided that Cinders And Ashes will not run again this season. Aintree had been a possibility for him after his Cheltenham success but we just felt that he had been on the go for a long time and he has nothing
left to prove this season.”
"He is off for a good break now and will come back next season with the 2013 Champion Hurdle as his main objective," he added.
Beat Hollow‘s son was below par in last year’s Grade 2 John Smith's Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Aintree.
However, he regained his momentum quickly after that, securing second place in the Felix Rosenstiel's Widow & Son Introductory Hurdle, which was his first outing of the season.
Since then, the bay gelding has been unbeaten. Ahead of his fantastic win at Cheltenham, the newly turned five-year-old completed his hat-trick at Haydock, winning williamhill.com "Supreme Trial" Novices' Hurdle (Registered As Rossington Main Novices' Hdl).
In the Grade 1 William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he was a delight to watch. Under Jason Maguire, the dashing runner sealed top position comprehensively, beating Nicky Henderson’s Darlan by one and a quarter lengths.
After a fascinating show at Cheltenham, Cinders And Ashes was expected to continue his journey and unleash his talent at Aintree. However, the trainer and connections cited a long break as the best option for their maverick gelding.
Brindisi Breeze is another Cheltenham winner, who will not come out on the course this season. The six-year-old’s trainer, Lucinda Russell said:
"He will be schooled over fences before being turned out and will be prepared for novice chases next season."
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