The Real Whacker set fair for Charlie Hall defence

The Real Whacker is fully focused on retaining his bet365 Charlie Hall Chase crown for trainer Patrick Neville at Wetherby on Saturday.

The nine-year-old was a three-and-a-half-length winner of the Grade Two contest last term, defeating Bravemansgame with the rest of the field well strung out behind.

It was to be his only victory of the season, although he did collect prize-money when making up the lesser placings in the King George, the Gold Cup and the Bowl at Aintree.

He returned to action this season over hurdles at Perth in September, finishing second to a smart horse of Olly Murphy’s in Chasing Fire to prepare him nicely for his Wetherby title defence.

“He’s in super form and we’re looking forward to Saturday – I couldn’t be happier with him,” Neville said.

“To be honest, I think we have him better prepared this time than he was last year.

“It was a good run at Perth and he came out of it well. It was good to get that run in and he came on for it.

“It looks a nice race, but you wouldn’t be running away from anything in it.

“The ground will be fine and we decided to go with a pair of cheekpieces, just to give him a bit extra. Now he is a bit older, he is getting clever!

“I think it is a good, even race this year with an open feel to it. You could make a case for most of them but we are not afraid of anyone.”

He added: “It would be great if he could win another Charlie Hall. There is a big crew coming over from Ireland to support, so hopefully it will be an enjoyable day.”

Taking him on will be John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s former King George winner Hewick, a true fan favourite who got his campaign under way with a hurdles win at Thurles in mid October.

“He has come out of Thurles in great form. He did not know he had a race as he did everything on the bridle and jumped very well,” the trainer said.

“It was a lovely way to start his season and, touch wood, everything is going to plan.

“In terms of his targets for the season, I would not mind going back for the King George again, while he jumps hurdles so well that the Stayers’ Hurdle is in the back of my mind.

“The owners and I said we would run this weekend and then map out a definitive plan.”

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat is also due to line up, with the seasoned 10-year-old signing off last season with a runner-up finish to Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree.

The trainer feels his string have needed to get a run under their belts so far term, but excludes Protektorat from that statement as the former Ryanair Chase winner is raring to go.

He told Racing TV: “He’s done a lot of work, I’ve taken him for an away day. You’ll see a lot of ours have needed the run, but the older ones haven’t quite so much.

“I’ve no fitness concerns whatsoever with him, the only concern I do have is if we don’t get any rain.”

Paul Nicholls runs Pic d’Orhy, winner of the Ascot Chase for the past two seasons, with the field completed by Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law and Venetia Williams’ Djelo.