CONEY HAS CHARLIE ENTRY
THE Mark Bradstock-trained Coneygree has an entry for Saturday’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
There were 11 possibles at the latest confirmation stage and the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero will only run if the heavens open and the ground is soft enough.
“It is very much a ‘just-in-case’ entry,” said assistant trainer Sara Bradstock.
“I told the owners a while ago he’d have the option so that’s what he’s got, we’d look silly if it did rain.
“It’s very much plan B at this stage, though, as it’s only three weeks before Haydock’s Betfair Chase and that is plan A.
“I suspect now we’ll just have to have a gallop somewhere where it’s nice ground.
“He’s done plenty of work, but when they’ve been off a year they need to have worked on grass before a race and he hasn’t been able to yet.
“The trouble is once it starts raining, it probably won’t stop. I’m prepared to do a rain dance.”
Colin Tizzard has confirmed that last year’s winner, Cue Card, will be back for another crack and Menorah, successful in 2014, will represent Philip Hobbs, who also has Sausalito Sunrise entered.
David Pipe’s Dynaste, second last year, Irish Cavalier and the Paul Nicholls duo of Saphir Du Rheu and Virak are also engaged.
Kim Bailey’s Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Blaklion, winner of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last March, and sole northern contender Wakanda, trained by Sue Smith, complete the list.