Preacher plans open

Ron Hodges is unlikely to run Preacher Boy in the Coral Welsh National and instead expects his stable star to reappear at some stage next month.

The giant seven-year-old performed brilliantly to finish third in the Hennessy Gold Cup and was going to run in tomorrow’s BGC Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot, but was not declared.

Hodges reported: “He’s fine – I was just a bit worried about the ground at Ascot. He likes top of the ground but it doesn’t like him and I didn’t want to take the chance.

“He’s in the Welsh National but I doubt we’ll run him, as I think it is a very gruelling race for a young horse. I think he’ll run some time in January now.”