Celestial on comeback trail

Celestial Gold, last seen when winning the Betfair Bowl at Aintree in 2006, is still some way off a return to the track.

Trainer David Pipe has the nine-year-old back in light exercise but has yet to pencil in a possible comeback date.

Celestial Gold has won five of his 11 starts under rules, including the 2004 Paddy Power Gold Cup and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

“He’s very talented but he got a little bit of heat (in a leg) last year so we had to stop with him,” said Pipe.

“He won’t be out for a while yet but, touch wood, he is back cantering and deserves to take his place in a Gold Cup if we can get him there.

“Even though he hasn’t had that many races, he doesn’t do himself any favours at home as he is very enthusiastic in his work, but we have one lad who rides him every day who tries to switch him off,” he told At The Races.