Coneygree and Cue Card clash in exciting Charlie Hall Chase field at Wetherby
The fragile, former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree is one of the star names set to contest a strong renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
CONEYGREE will make another return to the track in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
Mark Bradstock's fragile 2015 Cheltenham Gold winner, who has only raced three times since the biggest success of his career, runs without a penalty in the Charlie Hall Chase.
"We had him ready to go to Listowel in the summer, but got cold feet when the ground was very testing," Bradstock's wife, Sara, told Press Association Sport.
"Since then he did have a bit of a head cold, which held him up for a little bit, so we have been slightly rushed, but nothing too major.
"He'll obviously be better for the run, but the conditions of the race meant that we always wanted to come here, as long as the ground was suitable. Only Cue Card is rated above us, but he's got to give us weight.
"Once we didn't make Ireland we always wanted to come for this."
Coneygree's presence slightly overshadows the return of Cue Card, who won the Charlie Hall in 2015.
The popular 11-year-old was a beaten odds-on favourite in the race last season, but changes to the conditions of the race mean he will carry 4lb less this year.
Colin Tizzard blamed himself for defeat last year, thinking he was not quite fit enough, but told At The Races: "We've been very wary of that and he's had a lot of work.
"He's had a racecourse gallop and Joe (Tizzard) schooled him earlier this week.
"He jumped a couple of hurdles and four fences - just ticking the boxes, really.
"He did improve vastly last year from his first run to his second.
"Out of respect for the horse, we've got to make sure we're doing our bit and not going there pussy-footing around, thinking, 'This is Cue Card, he'll be fine'.
"When we took him for his racecourse gallop, at one time he'd have been running away for two miles, but this time he was behind the bridle.
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"He still came six lengths away from a 156-rated horse, so he's just as good as he's ever been."
Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles Grand National fourth Blaklion and Bristol De Mai.
The Naunton handler said of Blaklion: "It was a heroic effort in the National and he probably didn't quite get home on the day.
"He came back in good form. He has been good over the summer and we are really happy.
"It is difficult with a horse of his class where you go but we thought we would start here and go for the Becher Chase next.
"We had one or two off-days last season with Bristol De Mai but for the most he was superb. He is in really supreme form and he should go well."
Definitly Red suffered misfortune when his saddle slipped in the National, but prior to that was an easy winner of the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.
"Definitly Red is in good form and we are very happy with him," said trainer Brian Ellison.
Templegate's Treble
NAP 12.50 Wetherby - Alfie's Choice: 'Came up against some smart prospects last year and this trip should suit'
NEXT BEST 2.35 Wetherby - Sametegal: 'He's well weighted on his smart novice form and is proven after an absence'
TREBLE 2.10 Uttoxeter - Sandy Cove: 'Had some solid form in the summer and should be up to winning a race like this'
"But looking at the race, he will need to be in good form as it looks like a mini Gold Cup.
"Touch-wood, he normally runs well fresh. He has been away and galloped, and looks a million dollars at the moment.
"I think he is going to be up to it. He showed last season that he likes Wetherby and he was impressive again when winning by a long way at Doncaster."
Dan Skelton's Virgilio, Philip Hobbs's likeable front-runner Village Vic, David Pipe's Vieux Lion Rouge, Tom George's Double Shuffle and Richard Hobson's Shantou Flyer complete the ten runner field.