Coneygree in test for Gold Cup

THE success of a breathing operation on Coneygree will be tested in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was treated after being pulled up by Nico de Boinville in last month’s Ladbrokes Chase at Newbury.

Having also failed to finish following a jumping error in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November, when he also sustained a minor injury, the 11-year-old has to prove he can still cut it as a Gold Cup contender. But Mark Bradstock, his trainer, still believes in the horse. He said: ‘He was treated after Newbury. It was nothing too serious, otherwise he would not be running.’

Coral make Coneygree an 8-1 shot for the Cotswold Chase, a race in which entry conditions will suit him.

He will receive weight from 11-10 favourite Bristol De Mai, the Betfair Chase winner, trained by Nigel Twiston- Davies, who is aiming to bounce back from his defeat in the King George VI Chase.

Other potential rivals include Harry Fry’s American, Brian Ellison-trained Definitly Red and Nick Williams’ Tea For Two. Entries for Cheltenham’s Cleeve Hurdle include Colin Tizzard’s Finian’s Oscar, who has not convinced in novice chasing this season.