Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion will take his chance at Windsor today in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle.
The eight-year-old has twice been a Grade Two winner over hurdles and even has a Group Two Prix Chaudenay placing to his name on the Flat from his prior days in the Godolphin silks.
Last season’s exploits included a second-placed run in the Lanzarote Hurdle and a Kingwell Hurdle victory, after which he was unplaced when pitched in at the highest level in both the Champion Hurdle and the Aintree Hurdle.
The son of Golden Horn returned to action this season on what was nearly a career-high mark and has coped admirably, placing second in a valuable Sandown handicap and winning comfortably at Hereford last time when conceding a vast amount of weight.
The gelding now has Windsor’s well-supported meeting today in his diary, where he will compete for a pot of over £50,000 on the first day of the Berkshire Winter Million initiative.“We’re going to go for the two-and-a-half-mile conditions race at Windsor,” said Lee.
“He’s been brilliant. I’m delighted with his first two runs, though it wasn’t quite the route we were intending, but the ground has forced our hand.
“We have to be careful with him as he’s had a long-term injury, so we’re respectful of that.
“We’re looking forward to Windsor, he’d have to run a career best to be in the frame but it’s the right kind of race. I think the track will suit him and the soft ground will help.
“The Kingwell was on our radar at the beginning of the season, so we’ll have to wait and see what the ground does heading towards that. He seems to be quite versatile with regards trip, so we’ll be led by his performance this weekend as to where we go afterwards.”
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