Definitly Red has Gold Cup warm-up in £25,000 match

Definitly Red, generally a 33-1 shot for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, will have his final warm-up for the festival showpiece in what has turned into a match at Kelso despite 21 original entries.

The £25,000 Malcolm Jefferson Memorial Chase (3.00) will see Definitly Red take on the Stuart Coltherd-trained Captain Redbeard, who was confirmed a runner on Wednesday evening after the Borders trainer’s string were given clearance to race by the BHA.

Definitly Red, who is unbeaten this season having won two Grade 2 events including the Charlie Hall Chase, has pleased his trainer Brian Ellison in the build-up to Kelso.

"It was either go to Kelso or a racecourse gallop at Wetherby," said Ellison. "We wouldn't want a hard race, but he's in great form and we've got 30 days to get over it.

"He's well in and it should put him spot on for the Gold Cup. It's not a hard track and it'll be nice ground. Hopefully he goes there and wins and everything goes all right."

Coltherd is hoping Captain Redbeard can continue his build-up to the Randox Health Grand National after the horse was allotted 9st 13lb in the weights for the Aintree marathon on Tuesday.

The ten-year-old proved himself as good as ever when a close third to Vintage Clouds at his beloved Haydock in November but disappointing in the Grand Sefton Chase over the big Aintree fences.

Coltherd said: "Captain Redbeard is fit, well and raring to go. Obviously Definitly Red will be hard to beat, but we're getting 10lb off him.

"Captain Redbeard is not a slow horse. He has won over hurdles round Kelso and it's the right race for him at this stage. We'll see where we are with him on Thursday.

"The Grand National is his long-term target again."

Captain Redbeard: needs the all-clear from the BHA before he can take on Definitly RedCredit: Grossick Racing Photography 0771

Four runners have been declared for the £30,000 Morebattle Hurdle (2.25), including the talented southern raider We Have A Dream, who represents the Nicky Henderson stable successful in this race in recent years with odds-on shots Top Notch (2016) and Simonsig (2012).

Unibet Champion Hurdle entry We Have A Dream, who is comfortably the top-rated horse in the race, gives Henderson another standout opportunity.

We Have A Dream was unbeaten in five starts during his juvenile hurdle career last term, highlighted by victory in the Grade 1 Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree, but has been defeated in all three starts this campaign.

We Have A Dream: comfortably top-rated in the Morebattle HurdleCredit: Grossick Racing Photography

That might give a ray of hope to connections of the other three runners, who are headed by the Micky Hammond-trained Cornerstone Lad.

Winner of a Haydock handicap hurdle off a mark of 132 before Christmas, the five-year-old is very much on an upward curve.

Hammond said: "Cornerstone Lad is still improving. We'd prefer there to be more juice in the ground, but he goes there in good form.

"The favourite will be difficult to beat, but it's a good prize and well worth supporting."

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