Cogry out to improve impressive race record in fourth bid

"Matchbook Betting Exchange" Handicap Chase | 3m1f | Old Course | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

This staying chase often sees old rivals lock horns again and this year is no different as Cogry chases a second win in the race, having been runner-up last year when West Approach was third.

Four trainers who have been successful in the past decade are bidding to win the race again. Philip Hobbs took the prize for four years in a row from 2011, Jonjo O'Neill won in 2009 with Nelson's Spice, Neil Mulholland was successful with Midnight Chase in 2010 and Nigel Twiston-Davies scored with Cogry in 2017.

Older Cogry harder to get fit

Cheltenham has a host of races that welcome back the same old faces each year and the ten-year-old Cogry runs in this staying chase for the fourth year in a row.

An inauspicious start with a fall at the first in 2016 was followed by success the following year before he failed by a neck to hold off Relentless Dreamer 12 months ago.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who also won the race with Ardaghey, said: "It's getting harder to get Cogry fit as he gets older but he likes the race."

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Captain Chaos and Get On The Yager
Captain Chaos and Get On The Yager will like the soft ground. Both Chaos and Yager are off winnable marks – they take a few runs to hit form but they should run well.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Royal Vacation and West Approach
West Approach was third in this race last year and in is lovely form. He should be in the shake-up again – he goes well fresh and on the track. Royal Vacation also runs well at the track and has the ability to be thereabouts but is high in the handicap.

James Motherway, trainer of Na Trachtalai Abu
He's in great form, I couldn't be happier with him. The only worry is the ground. You wouldn't have been expecting the ground to come up testing at Cheltenham at this time of year and, if the rain comes, it would have to be a concern. I'd give him a very big shout if it doesn't. He's improving and we could have something like a Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown in the back of our minds for him.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Mindsmadeup
We've had this race in mind for a while and thankfully he got in. His form has been good over hurdles recently and he's got good form over fences as well, so fingers crossed.

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