- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Coneygree possible for Betfair
- Updated: September 19, 2016
Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree could make his eagerly-awaited return to action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock after connections admitted they were “tempted” to pursue the Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown.
Any horse who can land the Betfair Chase in November, the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in March will pick up a £1million bonus.
Coneygree, who became the first novice in 41 years to win the blue riband in March 2015, raced just once last season when dismissing two rivals at Sandown in December.
Despite his lengthy absence, Sara Bradstock, wife and assistant to trainer Mark, reports the nine-year-old to be in rude health ahead of his comeback.
“He is in very good form. He did his first piece of proper fast work on Saturday and he feels amazing really,” said Bradstock.
“I actually think he’s probably in better form than he was this time last year. The injury he had was one of those niggly things that got progressively worse and, in hindsight, I think it’s something he probably picked up when he won the Gold Cup.
“He obviously came out and won at Sandown, but looking back, I don’t think he jumped as well as can that day, so he was probably feeling something. He obviously wasn’t lame or we wouldn’t have run.
“The weather is going to play a big part in where we start off as I don’t think we’d even think about running him on good ground, it would need to be on the slow …
