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Cannon loaded for Bolster bid

3 minute read

Last year's winner The Giant Bolster is among eight possibles for the BetBright Cup Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

David Bridgwater's star beat Rocky Creek by seven lengths in the Grade Two contest, formerly known as the Argento Chase, before going on to finish third in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

His return this season at Wetherby saw him finish last of seven in the Charlie Hall Chase, but he improved from that to run well at Haydock when fifth in a high-class renewal of the Betfair Chase.

Tom Cannon rode the 10-year-old for the first time at Haydock and is set to keep the mount.

Bridgwater said: "His first run at Wetherby was rubbish but his second run at Haydock was brilliant and Tom gave him a lovely ride. He is a very promising young jockey and it is the plan for him to ride on Saturday.

"The Giant Bolster will definitely have a visor on. We might put a hood on as well, depending if it's cold or not, just to keep his ears warm!"

David Pipe is looking to give Dynaste a spin ahead of the Festival following his second place behind Silviniaco Conti in the King George VI Chase.

"He has pleased me at home and has come out of his King George run very well," the trainer told his website.

"We will be keeping a close eye on the weather and hoping that the temperatures keep up ahead of the weekend's action.

"Should he participate, the result will give us yet more information on which to base his Cheltenham Festival target."

Others to feature in a race that was reopened due to insufficient entries are Hennessy Gold Cup hero Many Clouds and Holywell, another leading contender for the Gold Cup in March. He is also entered in the Cleeve Hurdle on the same card.

Smad Place, runner-up in the RSA Chase last year, represents Alan King, with Paul Nicholls calling on Black Thunder and Colin Tizzard's Theatre Guide and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Double Ross completing the eight.