Kingwell defence next for Goshen after Moore hails 'special day' for family

Gary Moore plans to target the Kingwell Hurdle again with Goshen following his stable star's win at Sandown that headlined a "special day" for the family.

The six-year-old came home 15 lengths clear in the Listed Contenders Hurdle under Jamie Moore for his first win of the season.

The trainer is reluctant to head back to the Cheltenham Festival with Goshen, but a quick turnaround is being plotted for a return to Wincanton on February 19 if the ground is deemed suitable.

Goshen stormed to a 22-length success from favourite Song For Someone in last year's Kingwell, his sole victory last season.

"He's come out of his race very well and trotted up sound this morning," Moore said on Sunday. "He'll definitely go to the Kingwell again now, as long as the ground is soft or good to soft."

Goshen has developed a trend of hanging badly right during his races. The habit has cost him at Cheltenham and during a recent appearance at Lingfield in January, but back at Sandown's right-handed course Moore was confident he would see Goshen return to form.

"I did think he was going to have a good run," Moore said. "I have a lot of confidence in the horse, I always knew what he could do and he's now just doing things right.

"He's always been very settled at home and the hanging right doesn't happen at all when he's there. It only happens at the racecourse, it must be the atmosphere, but it's just one of his idiosyncrasies. I don't know why he does it but I suppose all horses have their quirks."

Josh Moore: comeback winner on Shallwehaveonemore at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Goshen's success completed a double for owner Steve Packham after novice hurdler Shallwehaveonemore gave Josh Moore his first winner since returning from a four-month spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Not to be outdone by his brothers, Ryan Moore capped off the family success in perfect fashion when He's A Latchico, Moore's third and final runner of the day, triumphed at Lingfield in the 1m2f handicap.

Gary Moore said: "It was a brilliant day, to have Josh back on a winner and Jamie and Ryan winning too – I've never had that happen for us before, so it was a special day all round."

A switch to fences could be on the cards for Goshen next season after early signs of promise at home.

"We'll try and see how he jumps a fence at home and we'll take it from there," he added. "He's jumped a couple of baby fences on the all-weather but that's all. I think he'll take to them though, he's showing all the right signs at home."

Read more . . .

Gary Moore happy to 'shut people up' as Goshen rebounds in style

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