Skyace ready to soar for Hanlon at Sandown on Saturday
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 January 2022
The talented Skyace can begin a resurgence at Sandown in the mares' hurdle with John "Shark" Hanlon hoping the seven-year-old retains her bite.
John Hanlon is taking the chocks away from Skyace and flying the mare over from Ireland in a bid to get her back on track in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Mares' Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.
Skyace has had little luck since she won the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse last April.
In four races since then, the seven-year-old has fallen, been pulled up, finished last of four and tailed off behind Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle back at Fairyhouse on her latest start.
However, Hanlon has always kept the faith and the County Carlow handler feels this Listed contest is a good opportunity for her to show her true colours.
"She's doing well. All roads lead to Sandown at the minute," he said.
"I just hope the ground doesn't get any softer. If they got a lot of rain over there we might not run, but at the moment we're definitely running.
"She's pleased me again. After she had that fall I wanted to give her a couple of nice runs.
"I got one into her in a four-horse race and the last day she was outclassed. When you take on Honeysuckle you're in trouble, so we just gave her a nice run round and she's back in her own class now.
"The big problem over here is that there are no races to suit her. Over Christmas there wasn't anything and this race is ideal for her, so we'll be heading over the sea."
