Geos set for switch back to fences at Wetherby

GEOS could bid for a second victory in the skybet.com Castleford Chase at Wetherby on Monday.

The nine-year-old won the two-mile race in 2002 and could switch back to fences to tackle the Grade Two event again.

Geos has proved a most versatile performer, winning over fences and hurdles and landing the competitive totesport Gold Trophy at Newbury in both 2000 and 2004 as well as the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2000.

He has not been seen at his best in two outings over hurdles so far this season, most recently when unplaced in the Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor last Saturday.

James Stafford, syndicate manager for owners Thurloe Finsbury, confirmed that Geos could go to the Yorkshire track for Monday’s feature, but he is a little worried by the prospect of frost.

He said: “We are debating whether to run Geos in the Castleford Chase this year. The weather is the main concern to us - we don’t want to go all the way up to Wetherby if the meeting is looking in danger of being off.

“At the moment I would say he is a probable runner, although I need to discuss it with Nicky Henderson. I would say we are 60-40 in favour of going to Wetherby.

“We have been a little disappointed with him this season. I don’t think he was at his best at Cheltenham and the pace of the race didn’t suit him - it was a bit stop-start. He really needs a good end-to-end gallop.

“I think it was probably a mistake to run him at Windsor.”

Stafford and Henderson have been considering a tilt at the Wetherby race for some time as they feel he is well-suited by the track.

“The Castleford Chase is something we have had in mind for him this season, particularly as he won it in 2002. He definitely seems better going left-handed,” Stafford added.