Hall’s well for Bryony’s Corton

BLACK CORTON (Wetherby, nb, 2.40) and jockey Bryony Frost were one of the success stories of the last National Hunt season and the partnership have a gilt-edged opportunity to write another illustrious chapter in today’s Charlie Hall Chase.

Sadly, a lack of rain and the prevailing ground conditions at the Yorkshire venue have resulted in a small but select field for this afternoon’s feature. However, that won’t concern Black Corton, who will relish a sound surface as he bids to extend a fabulous record when returning to the track from a break.

Other than on his debut for trainer Paul Nicholls in 2016, Black Corton has raced seven times following an absence of five weeks or more and the only horse to have beaten him is Altior, himself undefeated in 14 starts over obstacles. Given that Black Corton had been on the go since last April, running 14 times in an astonishing season, his final two efforts at the Cheltenham Festival in the RSA Chase and at Aintree in Grade 1 company, could be forgiven.

A summer at grass should have served to rekindle the fire, so notable in a number of his victories last term, and he can provide his trainer with a first win in this race since Silviniaco Conti in 2012.