Refreshed Auroras Encore could head for Wetherby

Sue and Harvey Smith’s stable star is back in training and the richest race of the year at the West Yorkshire track is a possible early season target.

A 66-1 winner at Aintree in April when ridden to a stirring victory by Ryan Mania, Auroras Encore has not raced since being pulled up in the Scottish equivalent two weeks later.

He spent a deserved summer break roaming on the moorland near his stable, and the long-term objective – fitness permitting – will see the 11-year-old bid to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum 40 years ago to win successive Nationals.

This year’s campaign will be a challenging one for the Smith team after Auroras Encore took a clobbering from the BHA handicapper for his National win.

“Auroras Encore has come back from his summer break in great form and he could start off in the Charlie Hall Chase if all goes well,” said High Eldwick-based Smith, the showjumping legend.

He was speaking as the Wetherby executive published details of their 2013-14 NH season that begins a week 
today with the annual Spinal Research Charity Raceday and which will conclude on May 29 with the Yorkshire Post Ladies’ Night.

The summer has seen Wetherby make improvements to the car parks and other facilities. Chief executive Jonjo Sanderson said: “I am very happy with the condition of the racing surface heading into this season.

“We have had a nice summer and we were able to do all our remedial work when we wanted to back in July, so the track has had plenty of time to settle down.

“Our prize money contribution for the forthcoming season will be at least the same, if not more, than it was during 2012-13 and, once again, all our major meetings are sponsored, including our popular Christmas meeting, and I am pleased to welcome William Hill as the new sponsors of this fixture this season.”

Martin Dwyer is looking to finally put a distressing year behind him when he heads to the British Horseracing Authority today to ask for his 
56-day ban imposed in India not to be reciprocated.

The Derby-winning jockey received the suspension from the Royal Western India Turf Club in February and it was dramatically increased to eight months on appeal, but subsequently returned to its original length following further representations.

“I’ve got to be hopeful because, in my mind, I know I haven’t done anything wrong but I’m certain of one thing, and that’s that when I go to the BHA I’m sure I’ll get a fair hearing,” said the jockey.