Goshen is set to race for the first time since unseating jockey Jamie Moore at the final flight of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The four-year-old had won six races in a row before that run – three on the Flat and three over hurdles – and was well clear of the field before disaster struck.
Goshen is now set to make his return in the Close Brothers Premium Finance Handicap at Haydock on Saturday, racing off a mark of 88 – despite being rated 157 over hurdles.
Our very own Paddy Power had highlighted the Gary Moore-trained runner as his Horse To Follow at the start of the Flat season, and both Ruby Walsh and Frank Hickey are excited to see Goshen back in action after such a long lay-off.
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Can you believe it?
Goshen looks set for a brilliant JCB Triumph Hurdle victory, but it’s Burning Victory for Ireland in a quite remarkable conclusion at @CheltenhamRaces #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/fHIulH3Vik
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2020
Speaking on the latest episode of the twice-weekly From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Frank said:”He’s going to be odds-on.
“He’s going to be a short price, but it will be interesting to see what his connections say after his race.
“Ideally, you wouldn’t want him to win by too far so the handicapper won’t overreact and you can aim him at something else – maybe something like the November Handicap at Doncaster over a mile and four furlongs.
“I assume everything will be built around maybe going to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth and wherever else from there but it’s very exciting to see what he can do.”
The November Handicap at Doncaster is held at the start of the month while the Fighting Fifth traditionally takes place several weeks later, but punters could see Goshen back in action as soon as mid-October.
“He has been entered for the Long Distance Cup at Ascot and I was thinking that was where he should be aimed at,” explained Ruby.
“I also thought Not So Sleepy was very impressive at Pontefract on Thursday as well (having been pulled up at Cheltenham) so he could be another hurdler on the upgrade.”
In the long run, Goshen will be targeting next year’s Cheltenham Festival for a shot at redemption in the Champion Hurdle and he is currently second-favourite behind Epatante.
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