Brave ready for Sandown return

Calling Brave is set to make his eagerly-awaited return from a long lay-off in the Racing Post Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old has not been seen since he was pulled up in the 2004 King George VI Chase but is reportedly in fine fettle ahead of the Grade Three contest.

“We were hoping to run last week in the Ascot totesport Chase but the ground was probably a little too heavy for him at Lingfield,” said Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden.

“The plan is to run this weekend as long as the ground doesn’t go very heavy.

“He’s in good form and we desperately need to get a run into him if we are going to Cheltenham.”

Calling Brave, a winner of seven of his 18 races over obstacles, holds an entry in the William Hill Trophy Handicap, the Ryanair Chase and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival.

However, Simpson said connections will not formulate a Cheltenham gameplan until after the weekend.

“The main thing at the moment is how he returns from his long lay-off,” added Simpson.

“Ideally we could have done with getting another run into him.

“He’s done a fair bit of prep work at home but he’ll probably also need a few more racecourse gallops as he’s a horse who carries a fair bit of condition.”

Henderson’s gelding is also in the frame for the John Smith’s Grand National, but Simpson admitted: “At this stage it is pure speculation and probably not even a consideration at the moment.”