One of jumps racings great race mares La Bague Au Roi is set to start her season on Wednesday in what looks to be her final term on the track before retirement.
The nine-year-old will begin her season at Perth in the Weatherbys Racing Bank David Whitaker Handicap Chase with a step back up to three miles looking to get the best out of the Grade One winning mare.
Greatrex said: “I just thought that she would love the track and it is not a stiff three miles. This is the right sort of race for her.
“She seems in good nick and has come to hand quick. She has got to give plenty of weight away but she is a high class horse.
“She runs well fresh, while she will love the ground and trip, so she ticks a lot of boxes. It is going to be her last season so let’s see if we can start on a high.“She has lost no enthusiasm at home as she schools well and still enjoys her work.”
After promising so much at the start of last year, LA BAGUE AU ROI failed to live up to expectations last season 😢
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) September 22, 2020
📝 She returns in the 16:15 at Perth tomorrow!
Can she rediscover her 2018/19 form?! 🤔
(Credit: @RacingTV) pic.twitter.com/oXEhl4h00u
La Bague Au Roi was not seen to her best last season failing to land any of her five races and her trainer is hoping she can finish her career strong with a successful campaign.
He added: “Last season she was not at her best but she might have been having a bit of a hangover as she put everything into those Grade Ones the season before.
“It was a trainer error running her at Wetherby as the ground was very soft. That put her confidence back and she ended up having a hard race when there was no need for it.
“She did run well in the Peterborough Chase and the Listed mares chase at Doncaster. Her best run was probably in the Irish Gold Cup and if she runs like that she will be hard to beat as there is nothing of that class in the field.”