Definitly Red and Black Corton out to do battle again in Charlie Hall

Last year’s winner Definitly Red will face a maximum of 11 rivals when he defends his crown in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The historic £100,000 contest has been won by some top class chasers, none more so than Wayward Lad, Burrough Hill Lad, One Man, See More Business and more recently Cue Card.

Brian Ellison’s stable stalwart got the better of the Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton by two lengths in the West Yorkshire highlight 12 months ago – and the pair look set to renew rivalry on Saturday.

Ellison will be buoyed by the fantastic recent form of his jumping string, with Forest Bihan’s big-race triumph in Sunday’s Old Roan Chase at Aintree the trainer’s eighth winner from his last nine runners under National Hunt rules.

Definitly Red worked at the course earlier this month ahead of his bid to land the spoils again, after which jockey Danny Cook reported: "When he won the Charlie Hall last year, even when he finished third in the race the year before, he always knows when he's on his way around here and picks up the bride when he comes around the turn.

"I think last year the ground was a bit better when he won, which helped him pick up a little better, whereas the year before Bristol De Mai and Blaklion were able to find that extra gear which he couldn't.

"But he felt in great shape today, Brian has done a great job with him and he has been an absolute star for myself, for Brian and for Phil (Martin, owner) and I'm very lucky just to be the passenger who is riding him.

"He can go on anything as long as it isn't tacky, holding ground. He obviously isn't getting younger but he still feels like he has got the fire burning in him."

The last horse to win the race twice was Ollie Magern in 2005 and 2007.

Black Corton – last seen filling the runner-up spot under a big weight in the Galway Plate – is out to provide Nicholls with a fourth Charlie Hall success following the back-to-back wins of See More Business (1999 and 2000) and the victory of Silviniaco Conti (2012).

Black Corton is the 4/1 joint-favourite with race sponsors Bet365, alongside Welsh Grand National victor Elegant Escape.

Elegant Escape is aiming to give trainer Colin Tizzard a second bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, following the victory of Cue Card in 2015. Having taken second in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury earlier in the campaign, Elegant Escape followed up his Chepstow triumph by finishing second to Frodon in the Cotswold Chase and a creditable sixth behind Al Boum Photo in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "Elegant Escape is in good form and the plan is to run in the Charlie Hall.

"He has summered well. He seems to have strengthened up and we are really looking forward to getting him started.

"He is only a seven-year-old and hopefully he can progress into a Gold Cup horse. He wouldn't have to improve a lot to be a serious contender in a Gold Cup.

"The Grand National is also a target, and after Wetherby, he could go for the Betfair Chase or Becher Chase."

Nigel Twiston-Davies has not entered the 2017 Charlie Hall hero Bristol De Mai, but could saddle recent Chepstow winner Ballyoptic. The Naunton handler has also won this prestigious event with Tipping Tim (1992), Young Hustler (1994) and Ollie Magern (2005 and 2007).

Warren Greatrex is expected to send star mare La Bague Au Roi from Lambourn, while Jessica Harrington’s Jett could bid to become the first Irish-trained winner since Sackville in 2001.

Aso (Venetia Williams), Atlanta Ablaze (Henry Daly), Double Shuffle (Tom George), Molly The Dolly (Dan Skelton), Top Ville Ben (Phil Kirby) and Vinndication (Kim Bailey) are the other contenders.

Phil Kirby said of Top Ville Ben: "The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase remains the plan for Top Ville Ben. It looks a competitive race, but we will see how he gets on.

"He deserves to take his chance in the race and it is all systems go for Wetherby.

"He loves the track and soft ground will suit."

Elsewhere on the card, multiple Grade 1 winner Unowhatimeanharry is set to return in the £45,000 Grade 2 Bet365 Hurdle over three miles. The 11-year-old endured an in-and-out campaign last season before bouncing back with a decisive victory in the Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May.

Dorset-based Fry said: "Unowhatimeanharry is in good form and the plan is to start in the bet365 Hurdle.

"He gave us a brilliant day at Punchestown in May and we didn't really know what to expect - we thought it could even be his last run.

"He's almost 12 now, but it is great to have him back for more this season.

"We will place him carefully these days, but it is special to see him still performing at a high level.

"Hopefully he can be competitive at Wetherby and we are looking forward to running."

Unowhatimeanharry is the 7/4 joint-favourite with bet365, along with Ballyandy (Nigel Twiston-Davies).