Thursday 18 December 2014 12:27, UK
Scottish handler Lucinda Russell is hoping to settle some unfinished business at Wetherby with Green Flag in the £40,000 Grade Three William Hill Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day.
The race over three miles and a furlong is the highlight of the two-day William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival at the West Yorkshire course.
Green Flag was a progressive novice last season, recording a hat-trick of wins at Kelso, Ayr and Newcastle.
After a second in the Grade One Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton, the seven-year-old started evens favourite for the Grade Two Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby in Februar but clipped heels and slipped up approaching the ninth fence.
He was an excellent fourth the following month at the Cheltenham Festival behind Holywell and ended the 2013/2014 campaign by finishing sixth in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Green Flag took fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle in November and was last seen out when 12th over the Grand National fences in the Becher Chase at Aintree.
Russell commented: "Green Flag was running a fantastic race at Wetherby in the Towton Novices' Chase when he unfortunately slipped up on the bend and came down, so we kind of have some unfinished business at Wetherby.
"He has not been at his best so far this season although he did jump fantastically in the Becher Chase last time out.
"He is in good form and I think there is still some improvement to come from him.
"We also have Bold Sir Brian as a possible for the Rowland Meyrick, although he is more likely to go to Haydock this weekend. He wouldn't run in both races."
The Yorkshire Winter Festival forms part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival, which continues at Catterick on Sunday, December 28 and Doncaster on Monday, December 29.
There is a racecard competition running across the four days to win an overnight stay for two at the Crown Hotel Bawtry and a pair of tickets for Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster on January 24.
