Arizona Cardinal back in good spirits and Aintree bound again

Arizona Cardinal is back firing on all cylinders after missing his Grand Sefton target and now has the Becher Chase in his sights instead.

Stuart Edmunds’ eight-year-old showed a real liking for the fences at Aintree in April when winning the Topham under Ciaran Gethings.

It was the intention to return to the same track for the Grand Sefton earlier this month, but an unsatisfactory scope scuppered that plan and he was forced to sit the meeting out.

The gelding has returned to full health now, though, and the Becher Chase over an extended trip of three miles and two furlongs is the plan in early December.

“He’s doing really well after his setback, the plan is now to go to the Becher with him,” said Edmunds.

“It was a dirty scope that ruled him out but he’s much better now, we’re very pleased with him.”

Edmunds looks to have a real prospect on his hands in Miami Magic, who is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles since joining the stable.

With some good point-to-point and bumper form to his name, the chestnut took a Fakenham event by 10 lengths in October and then returned on Monday to win a two-mile Kempton novice by 12 lengths.

There are no concrete plans for the horse in the aftermath of that success but Edmunds clearly thinks a lot of him and could be tempted to aim high.

“That was a very good run, we were thrilled and we think he’s very, very nice,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ve had one this good before, we’ll have to have a look at the programme book now.

“He shows a lot of speed, he does everything very easily and I think he’s very smart.

“I have had a sneaky look at the old Tolworth but we’ll have to see.”