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SUMMER TIME

Supreme hero Summerville Boy could bid to rediscover lost spark in Aintree Hurdle

Tom George's Grade 1 winner was carrying an injury earlier in the season but is now raring to go once again

Summerville Boy is set to make his return in the Aintree Hurdle

SUMMERVILLE BOY is likely to make his eagerly-anticipated return in the Aintree Hurdle.

Tom George's Cheltenham Festival winner sustained an injury at the beginning of the campaign but is back with all guns blazing.

Summerville Boy is set to make his return in the Aintree Hurdle
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Summerville Boy is set to make his return in the Aintree HurdleCredit: MATTHEW CHILDS

A brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season, the seven-year-old looked a shadow of that when flopping in two starts earlier this campaign.

However, he was found to have sustained a hairline fracture of his right hind femur, and his trainer is hoping he can bounce back now he's had time to rest.

George said: "He's had his injury re-scanned. He's got a clean bill of health and we're starting to step his work up.

"He's in good form, he looks great and we'll probably be aiming him for Aintree.


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"He's always been kept in light training throughout the problem and now we can starting stepping him up. It's all repaired well."

The seven-year-old would step up to two-and-a-half-miles for the first time if taking on the Grade 1 assignment in April.

George also had news on the 2017 King George runner-up Double Shuffle.

The nine-year-old is likely to return to the scene of his career-best performance in the 888Sport Handicap Chase later this month.

Double Shuffle (right) finished second to Might Bite in the 2017 King George
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Double Shuffle (right) finished second to Might Bite in the 2017 King GeorgeCredit: PA

The trainer said: "It's been the plan for a bit.

"He's in great form, he loves the track - and he'll love the better ground."

"He was second in it two years ago off a 5lb lower mark, but he's probably improved a bit since.

"This has been the target again for a while, so I hope he'll run well."

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