McCoy puts Unowhatimeanharry through his paces before Long Distance Hurdle bid

Unowhatimeanharry will bid to match Inglis Drever’s haul of three wins in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle on November 29 after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop on Tuesday morning under former champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy.

The 11-year-old, who claimed the Newbury Grade 2 prize in 2016 and 2018, has never been partnered by the now-retired McCoy during his 34-race career, but the pair became acquainted in a racecourse workout at Newbury.

His trainer Harry Fry said: "Like his jockey, he's getting on a bit but he is not done yet. As long as he retains his enthusiasm he will keep running."

Unowhatimeanharry’s latest Long Distance Hurdle bid, however, could prove his toughest of all with opposition likely to include last season’s Stayers' Hurdle hero Paisley Park.

Paisley Park: on course to reappear at Newbury this monthCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

After her stable star and Ladbrokes Trophy contender De Rasher Counter galloped at Newbury together, trainer Emma Lavelle said of Paisley Park: "He's bigger, stronger and fatter this year and he's taking a bit more work to get him straight but you'd like to think he should only be getting better.

"It's great to be in this position and the Long Distance Hurdle is the starting point and no doubt Cheltenham in March is the target but there are some nice prizes along the way. A few of our horses have needed their first run. There is no doubt he will improve but we’ve tried to do as much as we can."

Thistlecrack, the 2015 winner, is also on course to warm up for his Ladbrokes King George tilt in the three-mile race and The Worlds End is staying over hurdles after returning to form at Wetherby recently.

Noel George, assistant to his father Tom, confirmed The Worlds End would go for the hurdle race rather than the Ladbrokes Trophy. "He had a lot of work done on his back over the summer and he seemed to enjoy jumping hurdles at Wetherby," explained George.

Ok Corral remains favourite for the Ladbrokes Trophy despite raising a few eyebrows when McCoy had to push him along to keep touch with stablemate and likely Newbury rival Beware The Bear and Might Bite, who had warmed up by schooling down the back straight.

Ok Corral heads the market for the Ladbrokes TrophyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

McCoy was happy with the gallop, reporting the nine-year-old had been lazy but finished off the piece of work strongly.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "Everything went wrong after his Warwick win last season after which I was tempted to bring him back for the RSA Chase but Derek O'Connor had come over to ride him ahead of the National Hunt Chase.

"In the interim the flu outbreak forced us to revaccinate and Ok Corral reacted badly and had a lump the size of a melon on his neck for a week after. He ran at Cheltenham but hadn't got over that."

Colin Tizzard, who had the 1-2 in the race last year with Sizing Tennessee and Elegant Escape, could also have four runners, although West Approach is more likely to wait for the Coral Welsh National after two gruelling runs at the first two Cheltenham meetings.

Elegant Escape, set to carry top weight, will bid to go one better and assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: "He's a big strong horse who can carry the weight as he showed in the Welsh National. He has won around Newbury so I would have thought this would be the favourite."

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