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Coneygree in 'great shape' after schooling session with Richard Johnson

3 minute read

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.

Coneygree
Coneygree Picture: Pat Healy Photography

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 tweeted: "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.

Vezelay is set to add a dash of Gallic flair to the race, with trainer Emmanuel Clayeux travelling over from France with his horse on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old is a general 50-1 shot, but Clayeux admits is is hard to find suitable opportunities in France for a horse who has bagged just short of £430,000 in prize-money.

A winner at both Grade Two and Three level over fences, Vezelay was also third behind multiple Grade One winner Milord Thomas in the Prix la Haye Jousselin last November but did not fare quite so well when only seventh in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris back in May.

He recently finished second over hurdles at Auteuil and regular jockey Felix de Giles, who used to ride for the likes of Nicky Henderson earlier in his career, is set to be in the saddle once again.

Clayeux said: "We plan to run. It will be a difficult race for him but it is hard to find a race for him in France as he has won a lot of money. I wouldn't want too much rain. Soft ground would be good for him. The distance is fine for him and Felix de Giles, who is my first rider, is English and he will know the track."

Seeyouatmidnight is as low as 8-1 to land a first Grade One victory. He finished a creditable third in the Scottish Grand National on his final start last term and opened this season with a comfortable 12-length victory over Bristol De Mai at Carlisle last month.

Sandy Thomson's charge is due to be ridden by the in-form Brian Hughes, who had a five-timer at Musselburgh on Monday.

Hughes said: "He's very well, we'll just have to hope for a bit of luck. Obviously he'll need to improve again on what he did at Carlisle and this is a step into the unknown. He should have his ground at least."


At The Races

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