Tuesday 17 November 2015 15:42, UK
Sara Bradstock continues to hope for the best after Coneygree suffered a minor setback on Monday.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is due to contest the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week, but his participation was thrown into doubt when he spread a plate.
Bradstock, who is assistant to her trainer-husband, Mark, is keeping her fingers crossed for a swift recovery with a weekend gallop judged crucial to Coneygree's plans.
She said: "He pulled a shoe, it didn't cause him any problems but we can't see if it's a bruised foot or if he's brewing an abscess.
"We're hoping for an abscess as the pus will seep out and he should be OK. If it's a deep-seated bruise, he might not make it (the Hennessy).
"If he misses his gallop at the weekend he won't run and for him to take part in that he would need to have a shoe on by Thursday."
Coneygree warmed up for his intended Newbury run with a win at Sandown earlier this month.
Bradstock added: "That was very exciting and it was good to see him back doing what he does best.
"He came out of it very fresh and well. He's in great nick, but we need to get a gallop into him at the weekend."
Coneygree is one of 35 horses still in contention for the Hennessy following the latest entry stage and would carry top-weight of 11st 12lb if lining up following the defection of Don Cossack.
Last season's Hennessy and Grand National hero Many Clouds has also been withdrawn, along with Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Annacotty, Dynaste and Triolo D'Alene among others.
Should Coneygree come out, the weights would rise 5lb, meaning Menorah (currently on 11st 7lb and entered in the Betfair Chase this weekend) would be top-weight. Don Poli and Saphir Du Rheu are next in the list on 11st 3lb.
Nicky Henderson's sole contender is 2012 winner Bobs Worth (10st 7lb), who won his first race in almost two years when beating stable companion Simonsig over hurdles at Aintree earlier this month.
The Seven Barrows handler is thrilled with how his former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has taken those exertions.
Henderson said: "Bobs Worth has been quite good and seems happy in himself. He had an odd prep run over hurdles. That amused him winning that hurdle at Aintree the other day.
"I don't know what the race turned out to be, but it was perfect for what we were trying to do with him and get a race under belt.
"He has won this before but he is in a different place nowadays and this is probably tougher. I think you can see after (Sprinter Sacre won) last weekend, when these guys come back it gets emotional.
"He was a great horse and has fallen down the pecking order a bit. If we can get him back and win a race like this it would be very special.
"He puts his whole heart and soul into it and he would die for you."
