We expect better for Spartan Army at Wincanton

Spartan Army might not make the Barbury team for next month’s Cheltenham Festival next month, but Alan still thinks highly of this recruit from Joseph O’Brien’s stable and is hoping for better when he reappears at Wincanton on Thursday.

Alan said:”Spartan Army had won well on his first run for us at Wetherby, but he never managed to build on that performance in the Grade 2 Finale Junior Hurdle at Chepstow next time, and I probably over-faced him.

“He was never travelling with the same sort of rhythm as he had done at Wetherby, but it was only the fifth race of his life and I still like him a lot and think that there is more to come.

“We still have him entered for the Triumph Hurdle, but I doubt whether that will be where he goes. Fingers crossed, this race will tell us which route suits him best, but I think he could be more an Aintree horse than one for Cheltenham.”

Alan is also hopeful of a good run at Wincanton from Allegro Forte in the mares bumper. He added:”She had to come from off the pace on her debut at Ludlow, having got shuffled back through the field, so I’d think it was a better run than her finishing position might suggest.

“She has come on for that experience and should build on that, and further down the line she could even race on the Flat later on.”