Runners and riders confirmed for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday

Last season’s Turner Chase winner Gray dawns among the seven entries for the Grade 2 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (2.58) in Wetherby on Saturday.

Among his rivals is the trained Paul Nicholls Bravemansgamewho finished first and second in the last two races.

It will be the first start in open company over fences for Dan Skelton’s Gray Downing, who is the lowest British-trained horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 16-1.

Mouse Morris won the race with the Gentlemansgame racing kit last year and is looking to repeat that feat with the French dynamitewho was successful in Year 3 at Punchestown this month. Teaching Gordon Elliott mixed drops his rider first in this race and opposes again.

hold on was successful in the Summer Cup Handicap Chase at Attoxeter in June and moved up in class to finish the field winner of the 2023 Brown Advisory Novice Chase The real Weckerridden for the first time by Brian Hughes, and a veteran chaser Sam Brown.

Aintree Bowl winner Gerry Colombe and King George VI Chase hero Hewick were entered in the Charlie Hall Chase but will instead take part in the Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champions Chase (2.40) at Down Royal on Saturday – a race the former won on his return last season.

Sam Ewing rides Gerry Colombe, who finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, for the first time with Jack Kennedy suspended.

Envoy Allen, an eight-time Grade 1 winner who entered this race in 2022 and was defeated last year, adds even more quality to the five runners. Grand National second Delta Work and Visionarian complete the lineup.

Irish entries Sandor Clegane and Beacon Edge have been announced for the bet365 Hurdle (2.22) in the Wetherby undercard. Dashel Drasher, Kateira and Thunder Rock also perform in the seven-piece.

Champion hurdler third Lucia will be hot in the bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (1.50). She concedes weight to her five rivals, but clearly speaks about the official ratings.

The run at Wetherby is good, good to soft in places as the two-day meeting gets underway on Friday.

Kim Bailey, winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase, Chianti Classico, heads the weight in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.45) at Ascot, and stable partner Two For Gold joins the 11-strong line-up. Kitty’s Light was also announced for the £100,000 competition.

Delta Robot The jockey is being specified
Messenger Allen Darragh O’Keefe
Gerry Colombe Sam Ewing
Hewick Jordan Gainford
Seer Kate Donohue

Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.40 Down Royal, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 8-13 Gerri Colombe, 7-2 Envoi Allen, 5 Hewick, 16 Delta Work, 20 Visionarian

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French dynamite Sean Flanagan
Gray dawns Harry Skelton
Bravemansgame Harry Cobden
mixed Danny Gilligan
hold on Joe Anderson
Sam Brown Rex Dingle
The real Wecker Brian Hughes

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (2.58 Wetherby, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 11-8 Bravemansgame, 5-2 Gray Dawning, 9-2 French Dynamite, 5 Conflated, 12 The Real Whacker, 33 Hang In There, 66 Sam Brown

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Read more. . .

“I’m very relaxed and don’t give in to pressure” – Clerk Weatherby will water Charlie Hall’s card only if the course calls for it

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