Milkwood ready for chance to put name among greats in Scottish Champion Hurdle

Milkwood will bid to emulate all-time greats Sea Pigeon and Birds Nest by scoring a repeat success in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle on Saturday.

That top-class pair from the late 1970s are the only multiple winners of a contest won in impressive fashion by Milkwood under Sam Twiston-Davies 12 months ago and for which he is 9-2 third favourite with the sponsors.

The Neil Mulholland-trained eight-year-old has not raced since finishing fourth on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter in October but is reported firmly on course for Ayr.

"He's in good form," Mulholland said on Tuesday. "Sam schooled him this morning and we were very happy with him, he schooled well. We've kept him fresh and it's been the plan for a long time.

"He didn't take to fences at Uttoxeter and he wasn't 100 per cent right after, so we freshened him up and made the plan that we'd wait for the better ground.

"He was good in this race last year and he was very good in the Galway Hurdle as well – he finished second there and won twice as much prize-money."

Neil Mulholland: 'We've kept him fresh and it's been the plan for a long time'Credit: Getty Images

Milkwood is 8lb higher in the handicap than when coming from behind to score by nearly four lengths last year, but Mulholland is hopeful of another good showing.

He said: "He likes the track and I'm not worried about the lack of a prep run. He's been away for a racecourse gallop and he's at his winning weight.

"It would be nice to win it twice and he'd be keeping good company. We'll give it a go but it will be hard – it's hard to win any race these days."

The trainer's base near Bath in Avon is nearly 400 miles from Ayr, which will make for an expensive trip north given the recent hike in fuel prices.

However, that cost will not be borne by owner Jo Bridel as Mulholland said: "We charge an all-in-one fee, that's the way we've always done it, so it's an expensive trip for me. But if our horse is one of the favourites for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, we'll go."

Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle card and betting

Read more about Ayr this weekend:

'Potentially well-handicapped' novice has Ayr options - but ground is key

'We're not afraid to run more than one' - Christian Williams eyes next big prize

'It might never happen again' - Judge to lead Fahy team in Scottish National

Lucinda Russell without Scottish National runner as Corach Rambler heads south

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