Midnight Shadow team undecided on Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle outing

SUE SMITH has yet to decide whether Midnight Shadow will tackle the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle.

The Yorkshire-based trainer is weighing up several options for the smart six-year-old.

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The gelding ran out an impressive winner of the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

However, he flopped when stepped up to three miles in the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day at the same track.

Smith has kept Midnight Shadow in the £325,000 Stayers' Hurdle but will decide on his participation closer to the Festival.

Smith said: "He's in good form and he's been left in the Stayers' Hurdle.

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"We'll just see how he is closer to the race. We might run him or we could decide to wait for Aintree where there are more options.

"He did get knocked sideways at the last, which didn't help, but he was beaten by then.

"Danny (Cook) said he felt the ground made the difference, it was really gluey that day.

"Wherever we decide to go, he'll make a lovely novice chaser next year - that's what he's about."