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Bristol De Mai on course for Cotswold Chase

Bristol De MaiBristol De Mai
© Photo Healy Racing

Bristol De Mai will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing run at Kempton when he lines up for the BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

A traditional tune-up for the Gold Cup in March, Nigel Twiston-Davies will be hoping for testing ground to allow the Betfair Chase winner to show his best form after his poor show in the King George.

Bristol De Mai has since been treated for stomach ulcers but Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: "The intention at this moment is to run at Cheltenham on Saturday."

The grey is among 10 possibles for the Grade Two over an extended three miles and a furlong.

Another horse on a retrieval mission is 2015 Gold Cup winner Coneygree, who has failed to complete in two outings this season, in the Charlie Hall and Ladbrokes Trophy.

He has undergone a wind operation since running at Newbury.

Harry Fry's American is also on a retrieval mission as he was also disappointing in the Ladbrokes Trophy, having been ante-post favourite for that for months.

Kim Bailey is keen to see how The Last Samuri gets on outside handicap company, while Tea For Two could run for the in-form Nick Williams.

Tom George has entered Singlefarmpayment rather than King George runner-up Double Shuffle.

"We've put him in the handicap as well but he loves Cheltenham and soft ground so we're considering letting him take his chance," said the Slad handler.

"Unfortunately, he fell in the Ladbrokes Trophy and ran only OK at Ascot last time. I think we need to change tactics with him.

"He's very similar to Double Shuffle in that as a young horse you had to drop him out and teach him to settle but now he does settle I think we can be more positive on him.

"I think what happened at Ascot was he got a bit sick being behind horses."

Colin Tizzard could saddle Theatre Guide, who has run in the race twice before, while Fergal O'Brien's Cheltenham specialist Perfect Candidate might turn up.

O'Brien said: "It's up in the air at the moment as to whether Perfect Candidate runs at Cheltenham.

"We might wait another week and then head to Exeter, but I will discuss what we potentially do with Paddy (Brennan) and the owners before making a final decision as to whether he heads to Cheltenham later on in the week."

Brian Ellison's Definitly Red has the choice of Cheltenham or Doncaster this weekend, while there is one Irish entry in Mouse Morris' Alpha Des Obeaux.

Whisper had been prominent in the ante-post betting lists, but Nicky Henderson expressed concerns about the possibility of testing ground and has not given him the option to run.