Classic challenge could open exciting options for Myretown

Michael Scudamore expects to have a clearer idea of what the rest of the season has in store for Myretown after he contests the William Hill Half A Mill Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The nine-year-old was one of the most visually impressive winners of last year’s Cheltenham Festival when dominating from the front in the Ultima Handicap Chase and was sent off favourite for his November reappearance in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, but suffered a crashing fall.

Having been given plenty of time to recover, Myretown is again well fancied for a three-mile-five-furlong contest the yard won with subsequent Grand National hero One For Arthur in 2017, but it is notable their latest challenger has also been given an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Scudamore, who trains Myretown in partnership with Lucinda Russell, said: “Fingers crossed it goes ahead, that’s the main thing. We wouldn’t want lots and lots of rain, but he’s in great form and he’s got a nice weight (10st 8lb) as well with L’Homme Presse in there.

“Obviously it’s as far as he’s gone, but the way he was galloping at Cheltenham we don’t think stamina will be an issue and we’re really looking forward to getting him out and getting his season under way after the disappointment of Newbury.

“He was fine afterwards, but when they’ve had a fall like that you just want to make sure everything is OK and we’ve had a good, clean run.

“He’s schooled really well this week, so we’re pleased from that point of view. Warwick is obviously a good test of jumping, but he’s in really good form with himself so hopefully he can have a good, clear round and get his season going and we can learn where we are a bit more.

“The Gold Cup entry looks pretty speculative from where we are, but if things had gone right and he’d won at Newbury maybe it wouldn’t be so speculative. It’s worth having that option and hopefully we’ll learn more on Saturday.”

The weights are headed by the Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse, who has already finished fourth in the Gold Cup and made a promising return from his latest injury setback when second in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last month.

Andy Edwards, who owns the 11-year-old under the the DFA Racing banner in partnership with Pam Edwards, Ray Sharman and Peter and Pat Pink, said: “Every race is a big race for him because of the rating that he has – whether it’s a handicap or a Grade One or a Grade Two, it’s always going to be a very tough race for him.

“To win he’s got to run up to his best, but we believe in him, we believe in Charlie (Deutsch) and together, hopefully they can power up the straight at Warwick.

“Venetia always gets him ready first time out and from the figures you can see that he ran very well last time. I just hope the race pans out a little better for him than it did at Cheltenham, which you never know until the day as that’s down to what other horses and other jockeys do.

“With a nice, clear run he should run up to his form and be there or thereabouts. We’ll certainly be cheering him on.”

Midlands Grand National hero Mr Vango was beaten a nose by Twig when tackling Aintree’s famous fences for the first time in the Becher Chase last month.

Having missed a planned engagement in the Welsh Grand National over the festive period, his trainer Sara Bradstock will be hoping for more suitable conditions in this weekend’s £100,000 feature, which carries a £500,000 bonus if the winner can then land the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree in spring.

Other leading contenders include Olly Murphy’s Bet365 Gold Cup winner Resplendent Grey, who needs to bouncing back from a disappointing run in the Coral Gold Cup, and the Mel Rowley-trained Becher Chase third Val Dancer.