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Haydock aim for Aurore

3 minute read

John Quinn is siding with a trip to Haydock for the exciting Aurore D'Estruval this weekend.

The four-year-old built on the promise of her inaugural season when hacking up by 10 lengths on her reappearance at Wetherby and now a potential clash with The New One in the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle beckons.

The ex-French filly also holds an entry in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot, where she would potentially meet Willie Mullins' dual Grade One winner Faugheen, but she is set to head to Merseyside instead.

"At the moment we are leaning towards Haydock," said Quinn.

"She was very visually impressive at Wetherby and we were particularly pleased with her before the race.

"The ground at Wetherby wasn't too soft but she won't mind a bit of cut wherever she goes."

Should Quinn elect to bypass this weekend altogether, Aurore D'Estruval also holds an engagement in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday week, a race the Malton trainer landed with Countrywide Flame in 2012.

"She is a filly so the Grade One at Newcastle is attractive for breeding purposes and it is a race we have done well in the past," said the trainer.

A tilt at The Fighting Fifth would lead her down the same path as Cockney Sparrow, who finished second to My Tent Or Yours last year, before reversing form with that rival in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

Cockney Sparrow will not be making her reappearance before Christmas, though.

"She is on the sidelines for the time being," he said,

"She has picked up a few niggly injuries, but we will be bringing her back in for a spring campaign over jumps."