'He's finally come good again' - Goshen primed for Kingwell Hurdle defence

Gary Moore is relishing unleashing his two star hurdlers on a crucial Saturday for the yard and hopes the resurgent Goshen can put up another winning performance when he bids for successive victories in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

The six-year-old posted a joint career-best Racing Post Rating of 163 when a 22-length winner of the Grade 2 last year but was beaten on his next five starts, including a nightmare run in the Champion Hurdle, before he equalled that figure with a dominant success in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown this month.

With the Cheltenham Festival not on his agenda, Goshen will bid to join an elite group of back-to-back winners of the Kingwell Hurdle and he is the general 5-4 favourite for the weekend contest.

3.20 Wincanton: Kingwell Hurdle card and betting

"He's all good and I've been so pleased with him," Moore said. "He worked a little bit on Tuesday morning and as shown at Sandown he's finally come good again at home and on the track.

"I'm looking forward to getting him out again on Saturday. It was so nice to see him do what did last time and look his usual self."

The Sussex trainer could still have a leading contender at the festival with Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler Porticello, who heads to Haydock on the same day for the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.

However, Moore warned he is not certain to line up in the Triumph Hurdle, for which he is as short as 10-1.

Porticello: Grade 1 winner not certain to run in the Triumph Hurdle, according to Gary MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moore said: "Porticello goes to Haydock on Saturday but it'll depend on the ground whether he goes to the Triumph. He's got to have soft ground, which there is no guarantee he'll get at Cheltenham."

Goshen has been partnered by Jamie Moore in all of his 12 starts over hurdles and while Moore said it was likely the partnership will remain intact, no decision will be made on riding arrangements until declaration time.

Whether it be at Wincanton or Haydock, the trainer's other son Josh is set to pick up his first notable Saturday ride after his return from major spinal surgery following a horror fall in the autumn.

Moore said on jockey bookings: "I'm not quite sure just yet, but I think Jamie probably would be going to Wincanton. It'll definitely be really nice for Josh to get back in with a big ride wherever he goes."

Kingwell Hurdle betting
bet365: 5-4 Goshen, 2 Adagio, 7-2 Monmiral, 11-2 Allmankind, 14 Faivoir, 25 Llandinabo Lad

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