A record number of 53 entries have been received for the £100,000 SBK Great Yorkshire Chase run over 3m on Saturday January 27th.
Venetia Williams is enjoying a remarkable season and has given her Victtorino an entry. The 6-year-old hasn’t looked back this season since being upped to 3m, winning a pair of big handicap chases at Ascot in the process. Williams has also entered Cloudy Glen and the hat-trick seeking Hold That Taught.
Cooper’s Cross gave his trainer Stuart Coltherd a day to remember when he was successful in last year’s edition of this race. Provided ground conditions suit, he will attempt to become the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of this race since Ziga Boy in 2017.
Coltherd said: “Cooper’s Cross is very well. The plan would be for him to go back and defend his crown. We’ve raced him a couple of times on soft and heavy ground, and he’s just not enjoying it. As long as the ground is fairly decent he’ll run again this year.”
Topham Chase winner Bill Baxter is among the entries and despite a frustrating start to his campaign, his trainer Warren Greatrex retains full faith in his stable star.
Greatrex said: “Bill Baxter is all good and has come out of his last race well. The Great Yorkshire Chase is definitely under consideration. He is certainly up to winning off his current mark. He’s been a bit unlucky with the way things have worked out this season, but I am adamant he will win a big one before the end of the season.”
Jamie Snowden has never won this race before but has made three entries including Ga Law who cruelly went out of this race at the final fence last year when holding every chance. He also has Git Maker and 12-year-old Goose Man entered.
There are six entries from across the Irish Sea, despite the extremely poor record of Irish runners in this race, with Gavin Cromwell responsible for four of those. Yeah Man’s form ties in closely with the aforementioned Victtorino, while four-time chase winner Malina Girl would also be a major player if she were to take up her entry.
Famous Bridge took another step up the handicap ladder when landing the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase in dour fashion last month. His trainer Nicky Richards, who won this in 2021 with Takingrisks, has also entered the ultra-consistent Universal Folly.
Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this contest just once before in 2005 with Colourful Life. He has made five entries this year of which Kandoo Kid is one. The 8-year-old has made a bright start to his chasing career, failing to finish out of the front two in all four of his chase starts.
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