Edwardstone ready to return with Aintree and Sandown options

Edwardstone may have been a notable absentee from proceedings at the Cheltenham Festival, but will soon be back in action at either Aintree or Sandown.

Alan King’s 2022 Arkle hero is now a 12-year-old and has shown himself to be in rude health this term, with the highlight being when rolling back the years to land the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January.

He has since finished a valiant fourth behind old foe Jonbon in Grade One company once again at Ascot, and they could lock horns yet again in the Melling Chase on Merseyside next month, although the Barbury Castle handler could be tempted by a return to two miles and handicap action in Liverpool.

King said: “Edwardstone is very well, he just wasn’t quite ready to go to Cheltenham. He’s due to come back in to work this weekend and I’d imagine you will see him at either Aintree or Sandown.

“I would have thought if we go to Aintree it would be the Melling Chase or we might even put him in the Red Rum two-mile handicap as we did have him in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, so we’ll see closer to the time.

“If we go to Sandown I would have thought it would be the Celebration Chase.

“He’ll tell me if and when he’s ready and I won’t tell him.”