Bailey confident of strong Ajero showing

Trainer Kim Bailey is adamant Ajero has enough quality to win Tuesday‘s Racing TV Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Ajero made his seasonal return over course and distance back in September, narrowly losing out to Leroy Leroy, but everything has gone the way of the Julie And David R Martin And Dan Hall-trained charge since.

The six-year-old came out on top at Ludlow and Kempton before beating Miss Heritage, who would finish second on her next outing in the Grade Three Paddy Power Imperial Cup, by two lengths at Market Rasen last time out.

Bailey, who revealed the Imperial at Sandown had been considered for Ajero, is feeling confident ahead of Tuesday’s race (14:35) as his charge aims to make it four wins on the spin.

“We’ve had this race lined up for a little while. We thought about going for the Imperial Cup but the ground went against him. The track and course conditions should be ideal,” he said.

“The softer ground was a concern at Market Rasen last time and he didn’t really handle it but he got away with it as he really is a good ground horse, but it was another step forward on his first run since he had a wind operation.”