Helnwein looking to go one better in Greatwood for King

Alan King is optimistic last year’s runner-up Helnwein will give another good account of himself in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.

The eight-year-old finished a six-length second to Joe Tizzard’s Alexei 12 months ago, form which has been well advertised by the winner given he has since finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle and made a winning return in a Grade Two at Aintree.

Helnwein rounded off last season with a fourth place finish in Haydock’s Swinton Hurdle in May and while connections are planning a return to chasing later this winter, King is keen to give him another shot at this weekend’s feature handicap over the smaller obstacles.

“We decided to stay over hurdles for this and then probably try fences again with him after that, but the target has always been the Greatwood,” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“I’ve been happy with him at home. He’s not a great work horse but he seems to be in good order, so we’re happy enough.

“Ground-wise he’d be fine – he’s pretty adaptable really. I don’t know how much rain they’re going to get, but I’d be pretty happy to run whatever.”

Helnwein (left) finished behind Alexei in last year's Greatwood.

Helnwein is among 24 remaining contenders for the Greatwood Hurdle following Monday’s confirmation stage, with Harry Fry’s Idaho Sun the 4-1 favourite with Coral ahead of the Dan Skelton-trained Let It Rain at 5-1.

Skelton has five entries in all, with the JP McManus-owned Harry Lowes, The Mighty Celt, Knickerbockerglory and Listentoyourheart also in the mix.

Others potential runners include Olly Murphy’s Mister Ursus, The Kemble Brewery for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Pioneer Pete and Harry Derham’s Mossy Fen Road, although the latter’s participation is ground dependent.

“He needs some rain – I wouldn’t want him thundering down that hill on good ground,” Derham told Racing TV at Carlisle on Monday.

“He’s in great shape, has been trained for the race and I’m really looking forward to getting him out this season, but I think he needs a slower surface really.”