CONEYGREE READY FOR COTSWOLD

CONEYGREE is on course for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham three weeks on Saturday after a successful breathing operation.

The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero underwent surgery after being pulled up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at the beginning of Decembe.

Sara Bradstock (above), who trains the 11-year-old in partnership with her husband Mark, said: “He has recovered very quickly and he’s feeling very good.

“We are a little bit weather dependent, but I’m totally happy there is still the great horse within him.”

“If the weather went against us he will go for the Denman Chase at Newbury [on 10 February].”

WETHERBY may struggle to pass an inspection at 8.15am prior to today’s National Hunt fixture.

“Water is oozing out of the ground, especially in the back straight, and conditions need to improve,” said clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson.

“I would say it’s less than 50-50 that we’ll be able to race.”