Richards on weather-watch with Grimthorpe pair

Better ground would suit Chidswell for Doncaster defence.

Nicky Richards will be on weather-watch before confirming his plans for the 888Sport Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.

The Greystoke trainer provides two of Saturday’s 23 entries – in last year’s winner Chidswell and Glittering Love, who was all set for the Eider Chase at Newcastle until it was abandoned at the weekend.

Chidswell may not defend his crown if the ground is too soft on Town Moor – while Glittering Love would take his chance if conditions are testing.

Richards said: “I thought I’d have a look – it’s all going to be in the lap of the gods a bit with the weather.

“Chidswell will go if he’s all right – but if it was a wet week we’d have a think about it. He ran a grand race in the old ‘Great Yorkshire’ (Sky Bet, at Doncaster) – finishing well.

“Glittering Love was all primed up to go last week in the Eider. If it stays soft, or softer, he may run.”

The entries are headed by Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red, who won this race in 2017 – but he also holds an entry in the William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Premier Chase at Kelso, an option also retained on Saturday by Ben Pauling’s Le Breuil.

Paul Nicholls is currently three-handed at Doncaster – with Saint Xavier, Secret Investor and Worthy Farm – as is Dan Skelton, courtesy of Warwick’s Classic Chase runner-up Captain Chaos, Clondaw Anchor and Very First Time.

Others in the mix include Nicky Henderson’s Beware The Bear, winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, the Caroline Bailey-trained Boldmere and Stuart Edmunds’ Now McGinty.

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