Coneygree set for Newbury schooling session
Monday 20 November 2017 14:20, UK
Coneygree will step up his bid for a potential tilt at the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury by participating in a schooling session at the track on Tuesday.
The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is one of a number of horses set to take part in workouts ahead of the historic handicap on December 2, for which he currently heads the weights.
After finishing third in the Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start last term, the Mark Bradstock-trained eight-year-old failed to complete on his seasonal return when pulling up in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, where he sustained an overreach.
Bradstock said: "Coneygree's overreach is much better following his disappointing run at Wetherby at the start of the month and we were very keen to try and give him a school over fences.
"We would love to run Coneygree in the race formerly known as Hennessy (Ladbrokes Trophy) and Newbury have been helpful at allowing us to do so."
Another due to take part in a schooling session is the Harry Fry-trained American, who is second-favourite for the big race.
An added bonus will be Nicky Henderson giving reigning Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air a racecourse gallop ahead of his intended seasonal reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, also on December 2.
