Ground likely to scare off Charlie Hall defending champion Harry Topper

NO RETURN: Jockey Jason Maguire with Harry Topper after winning last year's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The trainer appears reluctant to run his steeplechaser unless there is significant cut in rain-softened ground.

This is the reason why Harry Topper, a renowned mudlark, did not line up in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However there is still every likelihood that Wetherby’s £100,000 race will attract six or seven top-class runners headed by the 2012 victor Silviniaco Conti. It is also more likely than not that Ireland’s top chaser First Lieutenant will make the journey across the Irish Sea.

Chief executive Jonjo Sanderson reported the ground to be good following further watering yesterday and he will make another assessment of conditions today. Light rain was forecast last night.

As for the bet365 Hurdle, Warren Greatrex is looking forward to seeing stable star Cole Harden test his considerable talents in the race previously known as the West Yorkshire Hurdle.

The five-year-old enjoyed an excellent novice campaign over obstacles last term before signing off with a fine second behind Beat That in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. His potential opponents include Jonjo O’Neill’s unbeaten World Hurdle winner More Of That, and Greatrex is keen to find out whether his charge is up to competing at the top level in staying company.

“All being well he’ll run on Saturday. This has been the plan all summer, really. Even before he came back in from his summer break,” said the trainer.

“Ideally I’d like the ground to be a bit softer. He handles better ground, but you just want everything right when you’re running first time out.”