All the hot views as Gold Cup ace Coneygree takes on Cue Card in Charlie Hall

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase | Gr 2 | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV 4/RUK

He is notoriously fragile and expected to come on for the race, but Sara Bradstock insists Gold Cup winner Coneygree is not unfit and acknowledges the race conditions suit him ideally.

Coneygree was initially set to reappear in the Kerry National at Listowel in September and so has been ready to run for the best part of two months, and he receives 6lb from main market rival Cue Card, so theoretically has a terrific chance.

Bradstock, who rides Coneygree at home and knows him even better than husband Mark, is taking nothing for granted however, and points out it's not a two-horse race.

She said: "He'd be a bit heavier than he has been sometimes at the beginning of the season, but he's feeling very good on the gallops.

"Everyone tells me it's soft ground, which is what we want, but so long as it's not too tiring I'm hopeful he's fit enough to do himself credit, and perhaps his class will see him through."

Stiff task at the weights

Bradstock continued: "The race conditions are made for him and we always like to win, but he'll be better for the run, as his work has been on the all-weather, not grass, and this is a race that can often go to an underdog."

Coneygree will get a Betfair Chase entry only if he is "as sound as a bell and as bright as a button", and the Ladbrokes Trophy (formerly the Hennessy) at Newbury is plan A if Wetherby goes well.

On paper Cue Card faces a stiff task at the weights. However, whereas this is a stepping stone for Coneygree, it has been the early-season target for the 2015 King George winner, who beat Dynaste here two years ago and was third to Irish Cavalier in 2016.

Few chasers maintain their form as long as Cue Card, who is on the cusp of turning 12, but Colin Tizzard could not be more pleased with the shape he's in and was thrilled with his recent racecourse gallop, when his son and assistant Joe was on board.

Tizzard said: "He went to Wincanton and worked with Viconte Du Noyer, who is rated 150, and Joe rode him and he came right away.

"He's ticked all the boxes and is in rude health. Whoever beats him will know they've had a race.

"If Coneygree turns up like he did at Punchestown then he's a good horse, isn't he, but we beat him at Haydock."

Tizzard added: "He'll make the running and we'll sit in behind him. I'll tell Paddy [Brennan] that when he gets to four out he has to count to 42. He doesn't need to take him on too soon.

"It's the right race for him, and we've targeted it all summer. It's not a prep race for Haydock this time. He's done enough, and if he's good enough he'll win."

What the others say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Bristol De Mai and Blaklion
It would be wonderful if one of them won, but we're taking on a Gold Cup winner and a King George winner and this isn't their priority, so we have to be realistic. Both have later targets for which they need a run first. Bristol De Mai is heading for the Betfair Chase, and on heavy ground at Haydock it will be a whole different ball game to the Charlie Hall. Blaklion is being aimed at the Becher.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Definitly Red
It's a hot race but he's in good fettle and likes Wetherby. He goes well fresh, but we want to get this out of the way before we make a plan.

David Pipe, trainer of Vieux Lion Rouge
He's up against it on handicap ratings but it's a good starting point and it will be good to get a run under his belt. He's entered in the Ladbrokes Trophy and he'll be in the Becher again. He's in good form and ours are running well.

Tom George, trainer of Double Shuffle
He's got a good comeback run under his belt and likes a flat track. His profile isn't dissimilar to Nacarat, who won this in 2010, and I'm hoping he's still improving, which he needs to be, as this is an above-average renewal.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Village Vic
His fall at Chepstow was massively out of character but he's been fine since. He's hard to place, and off his rating he's not qualified for veteran chases. There will be improvers in the race, but where else do you go? We thought it was worth a try at three miles.

Read exclusive previews daily from 6pm on racingpost.com