Shotgun Shirley ready to take step up in her stride

SHOTGUN

- By CHRIS PHILLIPS

Shotgun Shirley trainer Lucy Wadham

Shirley can make her hurdling debut a winning one in the Doyle & Palmer Wealth Management Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell.The four-year-old returned from a 212-day break in a Uttoxeter bumper in October and looked like she had never been away as she galloped to a three-quarters-of-a-length victory in Staffordshire.

She was then stepped up in grade at Cheltenham’s November meeting and found only Celestial Tune too good, beaten three lengths into second at Prestbury Park.

Lucy Wadham has now decided to send the daughter of Soldier Of Fortune over timber and the step up to two miles three furlongs can be taken in her stride with victory.