Milkwood

Milkwood ran a big race in the County Hurdle to finish third behind Belfast Banter. Settled nicely early on in mid-division and towards the outside, he travelled really well down the hill and over the second last flight, and he moved up on the outside to join the front rank as they rounded the home turn. Third Time Lucki kicked for home just in front of him as soon as they straightened up, and Milkwood got out after him, but that is a long way from home in the County Hurdle. He had caught Third Time Lucki on the stands side before they got to the final flight, but a mistake at the obstacle didn’t help and the pair of them were swamped by the closers on the far side. Milkwood did well to run on again close home and take third place.

It was a fine run by Neil Mulholland’s horse. Winner of his maiden hurdle on good ground at Hereford last season, he did well to finish third in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury in November, also on good ground, when he was badly hampered at the second last flight. He was well beaten in the Betfair Hurdle on his return to Newbury last month, but he stepped forward from that here. He is a talented horse for whom goodish ground appears to be important. He travels well through his races, and he has a turn of foot that is probably most effective when it is deployed late in his races. The handicapper raised him by just 2lb for his County Hurdle run, and he will remain of interest now on a mark of 142, as we move into the spring and the ground becomes even better. He has good form at Newbury and Ffos Las, both flat, left-handed tracks, so he will be of interest if he runs now at Ayr or Aintree.
Cheltenham, 19^th March 2021