Paul Nicholls: Black Corton ‘has great chance’ for Bryony Frost in Charlie Hall

2.40 Wetherby
bet365 Charlie Hall Chase | Grade 2 | 3m, 5yo+ | ITV4/RUK

While the majority of the build-up to the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase has been about those who will be missing, five quality runners remain in what looks set to be a closely contested Grade 2 at Wetherby on Saturday.

Those awaiting the return of Thistlecrack or Bristol De Mai will have to wait a little longer after connections opted out of the £100,000 race due to ground they deemed unsuitable – it was described on Friday as good.

Clan Des Obeaux was another not to be declared on Friday morning, meaning Paul Nicholls’ hopes of landing the contest rest squarely on the shoulders of Black Corton and Bryony Frost.

Nicholls is optimistic his representative is more than capable of rising to the occasion and he reported on Friday: "He’s done plenty of work and seems in good shape.

"We had a feeling that the field may cut up because of the ground so we just cracked on and got him ready. A lot of other top horses have been pulled out so he looks to have a great chance."

Black Corton and Frost will be looking to build on their superb efforts last season.

The campaign featured eight wins, including the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Nicholls added: “He’s got an entry for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury but we just want to get tomorrow out of the way first.

"He’s only a second-season novice and you never really know how they’re going to progress. Hopefully tomorrow goes well – after that we can make a plan.”

Among those also making their first start of the season is eight-year-old Double Shuffle.

Connections will be keen to get a win under their belt after he finished second in three of his five runs last season, including a narrow length defeat to Might Bite in the King George VI Chase.

Watch the replay of the 2017 King George VI Chase here

Trainer Tom George indicated that things are falling into place, and said: “It looks like he’s going to get his ground and he likes the flat track.

"He’s always looked good at Kempton and there’s no reason why he can’t transfer that form to Wetherby.”

Brian Ellison will be hopeful Definitly Red can add another Grade 2 to his collection after the nine-year-old scooped two last season.

He certainly has the course form to pose a threat, with a victory and two places to his name in his three runs at Wetherby.

Definitly Red Danny Cook capture the BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in JanuaryCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Virgilio earned two wins before a four-month layoff and tends to go well when fresh, which gives Dan Skelton reason to be optimistic he can make it three from three.

Regal Encore completes the line-up as the oldest runner of the five, and while ground is a concern for Anthony Honeyball, he believes his ten-year-old can hold his own.

The trainer said: “This looked like a realistic opportunity so we thought we’d go for it and put him in there. The only hesitation is the ground and how firm it is, but it’s a nice small field and we’re looking forward to it.”

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