Tuesday 15 November 2016 13:31, UK
Coneygree delighted Richard Johnson in a schooling session in Lambourn on Tuesday morning ahead of his likely return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The champion jockey answered the call from trainer Mark Bradstock to partner the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in the crucial workout after Coneygree's regular partner Nico de Boinville broke an arm in a fall at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Johnson tweted: "Just left Lambourn after schooling Coneygree he felt great and looked in great shape."
Bradstock tweeted: "Successful morning schooling #coneygree, everyone pleased including Richard Johnson. The focus is the next few days then on to Saturday."
Johnson has ridden Coneygree once before when winning the Denman Chase at Newbury in Februay 2015.
However, he is not yet able to commit to the ride in the race itself as he might be needed by trainer Philip Hobbs for Menorah, who was runner-up two years ago.
Coneygree has been out of action for 12 months but showed he was close to making a comeback when working over two miles at Haydock last week.
