Crack Away Jack has Ascot option

Crack Away Jack has been given the option of making his first start in over a year in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 22.

There is plenty of strength among the 12 entries for the Grade One including 2009 winner and dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Master Minded, and his trainer Paul Nicholls has also put in Free World and Tchico Polos.

Crack Away Jack, fourth in the 2009 Champion Hurdle, has not been seen since finishing in the same position behind Petit Robin in the Desert Orchid Chase in December 2009 but was subsequently found to have heat in one of his legs.

Trainer Emma Lavelle said: “He worked this morning and had a good blow and he seems really well.

“It’s more a possible than a guarantee as he might not quite be ready for the race, although if you’re not there then you can’t go.

“If he didn’t go to Ascot then he would wait for the Game Spirit at Newbury.”

Nicky Henderson has entered Petit Robin, Mad Max and French Opera while Somersby, I’m So Lucky, Gauvain, Kalahari King and Herecomesthetruth could also be involved.