Favourite The Conditional '90 per cent' certain to run in Classic Chase

Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up The Conditional is "90 per cent" certain to run in Saturday's Classic Chase at Warwick, according to trainer David Bridgwater.

The Conditional is the general 5-1 favourite for the McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering-sponsored Grade 3 event, but also holds an entry in the Grade 2 novice chase over 3m on the same card, for which he is as short as 3-1 and a second favourite behind Highest Sun.

Warwick Saturday racecard in full

"I'd say it's 90 per cent he goes for the Classic Chase as it ticks a lot of boxes and it's a race he deserves to be favourite for," said Bridgwater, who confirmed Brendan Powell would be in the saddle.

"He's in the novice chase as well and we'll have a look in case it cuts up, but it probably won't."

As well as delighting Bridgwater at Newbury, the improving eight-year-old gave his octogenarian owner Peter Cave a great thrill when outrunning his 20-1 odds to finish a length and a half behind De Rasher Counter at Newbury.

"It was wonderful that he was competitive in a race like that and he's come out of it in really good form," said the trainer.

"He had ten stone three there and it might be that is as good as he is, but he's a lovely horse who's starting to come to himself.

"He's still only a novice and we'll see how Warwick goes, but he's definitely made for the Grand National, and those types are Gold Cup horses these days."

Lavelle hoping Cotswold run can show De Rasher Counter is Gold Cup material

The Conditional featured in the 31 entries for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup revealed on Wednesday.

Bridgwater saddled Gold Cup regular The Giant Bolster to finish second in 2012 and third in 2014, and the Gloucestershire trainer also won the 2014 Eider Chase with another tough stayer in Wyck Hill.

On comparisons with those former stable stars, he said: "At the moment he's better than Wyck Hill but not quite as good as 'The Bolster'."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards