Rupert Being Prepared For Charlie Hall Seasonal Bow

Exciting young chaser Time For Rupert, who ended last season when finishing only fifth in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he sustained a burst blood vessel during the contest, is reportedly in great heart and going well at home as he prepares to make his seasonal return in the prestigious Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October, writes Elliot Slater. Those looking for Grand National tips may want to pay attention.

Paul Webber’s seven-year-old was sent off a red-hot 7/4 favourite for the three-mile novice chasing crown having slammed Hell’s Bay and subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Chicago Grey on his only two previous outings, both at the Prestbury track earlier in the season. For many people Will Kennedy’s mount was the banker of the meeting having also been amongst the leading fancies for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and once the decision was made to go for the novice chasing crown momentum built behind his bid for the RSA Chase, only for his chance to be scuppered by the burst blood vessel which it was later revealed had been as the result of a lung infection.

Now reported back to full fitness and working well at home having returned to training last month, the Flemsfirth gelding’s intended first target this term is the three-mile Charlie Hall Chase, a race often used as a stepping stone by high quality chasers whose connections are viewing a crack at either the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, or the Betfair Chase at Haydock. The Wetherby race has also been used as an ideal starting point for King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders. Those looking for a Grand National winner might want to bear this in mind.

Time For Rupert remains amongst the leading fancies to make a race of it with reigning title holder Long Run at Cheltenham next March with many firms making him a 16/1 joint-second favourite for the blue riband event behind Nicky Henderson’s star chaser who remains rock solid at 11/4.