Twiston-Davies targeting Charlie Hall with Bristol and Blaklion

Nigel Twiston-Davies, fresh from stealing the show at Cheltenham's first jumps meeting of the new campaign last week, is lining up a two-pronged attack on one of the season's major early prizes, confirming that Bristol De Mai and Blaklion are on course for a clash with Coneygree and Cue Card in Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday.

Twiston-Davies, typically a force at this time of year, saddled a 139-1 treble at Cheltenham on Saturday and followed up with a double at Bangor on Tuesday.

He is hoping to strike gold again this weekend and intends to run two of his leading lights in Wetherby's annual highlight, which boasts prize-money of £100,000, but is keeping an eye on conditions – described on Wednesday as soft, good to soft in places – as Bristol De Mai excels in deep ground.

"I'm hoping I can run him," said Twiston-Davies, a four-time Charlie Hall winner seeking an outright record fifth success. "It says soft ground at the moment and that will be perfect for him."

Blaklion, off since a fine fourth in the Grand National, is the shorter priced of the yard's pair at 8-1 with BoyleSports, while his stablemate is 10-1 generally.

"At the moment Blaklion will go, but I've no idea who will ride him yet," Twiston-Davies added. "I haven't put him in what was the Hennessy and his thing will be the Becher."

American: on course for the Ladbrokes TrophyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

American Ladbrokes Trophy aim

Charlie Hall favourite Coneygree is among 60 engaged in the Ladbrokes Trophy, the race formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Nico de Boinville's mount, who is 9-4 to win the Charlie Hall, is 14-1 for the Ladbrokes Trophy with the sponsors, who make Munster National winner Total Recall and smart second-season chaser American their 8-1 market leaders.

Second only to the Randox Health Grand National as the richest jumps handicap in the calendar, the £250,000 event will take place at Newbury on December 2 and American's trainer Harry Fry said: "We have been very happy with him and the Ladbrokes Trophy is very much his target.

"We are looking forward to it as he looks to have the right sort of profile for the race. Second-season chasers have a good record and he was a very good novice who did nothing wrong last season.

"The left-handed, galloping track at Newbury should suit him well and hopefully he gets the soft ground that he enjoys.

"He will have to graft to be ready first time out for a race like this, so he will be going away for a racecourse gallop in the build-up."

New recruit

Fry also has a leading contender for another of jump racing's high-profile pre-Christmas prizes in Kylemore Lough, the sponsors' 10-1 joint-favourite with Romain De Senam for the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 18.

One of 45 entries for the £160,000 handicap, Kylemore Lough won the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse for Kerry Lee last year, but joined Fry over the summer.

"He is very well and will head straight to the BetVictor Gold Cup," the trainer added. "There are still two and a half weeks to go, but we are happy with his progress and looking forward to the race."

Charlie Hall card

Ladbrokes Trophy card

BetVictor Gold Cup card

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