Braxton set for Royal engagement

Colonel Braxton, one of last season’s leading novice chasers, will miss both his possible engagements at Navan on Sunday in favour of an outing at Down Royal a week later.

The seven-year-old holds entries for the Grade Two Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle and the Grade Three McCabe Properties Fortria Chase but he will bypass both events.

Trainer Dessie Hughes explained today: “Colonel Braxton is in good form and if he goes to Down Royal he will run in either the big race, the Grade One James Nicholson Champion Chase or the Grade Three Killutagh Properties Chase which is for second season novices.”

Last season Colonel Braxton started favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham but finished fifth, 24 lengths behind the winner Hussard Collonges.

That horse is another possible contender for the Down Royal event but trainer Peter Beaumont is leaning towards a run in Saturday’s Grade Two Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

He said: “He is in the Nicholson Chase but I would prefer to run him in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby this Saturday because it’s much more convenient as the racecourse is only 30 miles from my stable.”