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Novice chase star Lalor entered in Henry VIII on Saturday

Lalor measures another fence perfectly on his way to victory at Cheltenham
Lalor: Arkle Trial winner will have an entry at SandownCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Kayley Woollacott's stable flagbearer Lalor could join Altior among the stars on show at Sandown on Saturday.

The six-year-old posted an impressive victory in the Racing Post Arkle Trial at Cheltenham last month, but immediate thoughts from connections did not include going for the Grade 1 randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown this weekend.

However, speaking in her Betway blog on Monday, the trainer said: "I know after Lalor's win in the Arkle trial at Cheltenham I said we wouldn't go to Sandown for the Henry VIII Novices' Chase, but we've decided to give him an entry.


Watch Lalor's Racing Post Arkle Trial victory at Cheltenham


"He's come out of the race in great form and although he hasn’t schooled since, he seems in really good order. It would be silly of us not to enter him and at least have a look at the race."

She continued: "There aren't a huge number of options for him so we'll weigh things up later in the week and make a decision then. I'm not saying he'll run, but we'll definitely consider it."

Another option for Lalor, who is disputing favouritism for the Racing Post Arkle with Plumpton winner Kalashnikov, is the Wayward Lad at Kempton on December 27, while the Lightning Chase at Doncaster on January 27 as a final outing before the festival is a more definite plan.

Woollacott said: "These things can all change, but we'll see what the entries look like for Sandown. He'll school this week and if all is well we could turn up on Saturday. It's a Grade 1 after all.

"I've said before that ideally we want Dickie [Richard Johnson] to ride him, so we'll also have to see if he's likely to be at Sandown or Aintree."


Henry VIII Novices' Chase card and betting


Lalor is one of ten entries for the £55,000 contest on Saturday, with Chesterfield, Cool Mix, Defi Du Seuil, Diakali, Dynamite Dollars, Highway One O One, Ornua, Pacific De Baune and Pingshou the others.

The Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, the highlight at Sandown owing in large part to the reappearance of last season's Champion Chase winner Altior, has been reopened until Tuesday.


Look back on the best jumps action of the year in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual. Click here to order or call 01933 304858

Andrew ScuttsBloodstock editor

Published on 3 December 2018inNews

Last updated 15:08, 3 December 2018

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