NO MORE than three of the original field for the Cotswold Chase will take part when it is relocated to Wincanton on Thursday. Several trainers are unhappy with the choice of venue after the abandonment at Cheltenham, and only Ollie Magern, One Knight and Royal Auclair feature among nine entries.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Royal Auclair, has added Le Duc and Hors La Loi III to the reopened race. Peter Bowen, while discounting Take The Stand, could run Ballycassidy for a prize halved to £40,000.
The elusive Racing Demon, twice a late withdrawal because of ground concerns since Christmas, may finally return at Sandown on Saturday — but only if forecast rain arrives in time. Henrietta Knight has entered him for the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, in which he could take on The Listener.
Accordion Etoile, joint-favourite with Racing Demon for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, is set to run at Punchestown on Sunday. His target is the Tied Cottage Chase and a clash with Central House, whose trainer, Dessie Hughes, reported yesterday that a blood disorder might be responsible for Hardy Eustace’s lamentable run at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The dual champion hurdler was last behind Brave Inca and Hughes said: “We took a blood sample and it’s not 100 per cent. He’s picked up a little virus but at least he’s got time on his side for Cheltenham.”