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Burke hoping heavens open for Novios

Sumos NoviosSumos Novios
© Photo Healy Racing

Liam Burke is hoping for downpours in the next few weeks after ground conditions convinced him to pull Sumos Novios out of the Labrokes Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan.

Mudlark Sumos Novios was a Grade Three winner over fences last term, at Cork in April, but the dry autumn has scuppered plans to get him back in action so far this season.

Burke is hoping enough rain falls to get a run into him at Navan next month — but if that fails to materialise he is prepared to keep the wraps on his stable star until the Thyestes Chase in late January.

“I took him out this morning because of the ground — he needs it soft,” Burke said of the 10-year-old’s initial entry in Sunday’s early-closing handicap.

“I was hoping to run this weekend, but he can’t in that ground. I couldn’t risk him, because he’s so big.”

Much softer ground will be needed before Sumos Novios returns to action.

“He wants it heavy, winter ground, and it’s a strange year,” added Burke.

“There is the Foxrock Handicap at Navan on December 8, but that would want to be soft, or he wouldn’t run until the Thyestes.

“He’s rated 150 and he’s a bit in no man’s land, because he’s not good enough for the graded races — and some of those handicaps are (limited to) 145.”

Leopardstown at Christmas is also not on the agenda.

“I don’t want to run in the Paddy Power, because it’s too tough a race, and the Leopardstown ground will probably be good,” said the trainer.

“He ran before in the race (three years ago) — and to be honest, he was wrecked after it.

“He ran in Limerick last year in a handicap at Christmas — but it’s 145, and he’s too highly rated for it this year.

“I have to bite the bullet and wait.”