Schelm Looking for Fourth Successful Raid

Irish trainer Ronnie O’Leary is hoping that Schelm (10st 13lb) can make an impact in the Greatwood Hurdle. The six-year-old has already made three successful raids over the Irish Sea this year, winning on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in February and following up with victories over hurdles at Newcastle in March and at Sedgefield in April.

After a cosy victory in a novice hurdle at Limerick in July, Schelm was a close eighth on his handicap debut in the competitive Galway Hurdle on his latest appearance on July 31.

Co Clare-based O’Leary commented: "Schelm is a definite runner in the Greatwood Hurdle. He’s in grand form at the moment and I’m just hoping that there’s not much more rain between now and Sunday. He’s a lovely horse on a sound surface.

"I was pleased with his run in the Galway Hurdle and he was only beaten by less than seven lengths in total. I think he can be competitive off a mark of 135. I was disappointed that the handicapper gave him a very big hike after he won at Sedgefield but, in hindsight, it looked justified after he ran up to that mark at Galway.

"This will be his last run before we give him a break and bring him back in the new year ready for a chasing campaign next season. I think that he’s still got improvement in him over hurdles and I’m looking to see him run a decent race in the Greatwood Hurdle."

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