Backstage connections 'sit and wait'

Backstage is not certain to take up an entry in the Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Connections of the ex-French four-year-old are going to weigh up the strength of the opposition before deciding whether the Evan Williams-trained gelding returns to the scene of his impressive British debut.

Backstage beat Carthys Cross by 16 lengths over two miles at the Prestbury Park track last month but Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, believes their horse may have been flattered by the bare result.

“I haven’t looked at the ratings yet so I’m not quite sure if he’s going to run. I need to do a bit of work on that,” Simpson said.

“I think he was very flattered by the distance he won by the other day. There are some good horses in there on Sunday with some very good form.

“We may go there or we may try to find a softer option. We’ll just have to sit and wait.”