Harald In Race Against Time

Mark Bradstock's King Harald is in a race against time if he is to add to his Cheltenham Festival success of last year.

The eight-year-old made all in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival last year but he has been on the easy list since unseating his rider in the Sky Bet Chase in January.

His options at Prestbury Park this year include the newly named Racing Post Plate (formerly the Mildmay of Flete) or the William Hill Handicap Chase, but according to Bradstock plans are up in the air at this stage.

'He pulled up lame and he pulled a lot of muscles in his back,' Bradstock told the Racing Post.

'He is dramatically better now but he's not there yet, and whether or not Cheltenham comes too soon we will have to see. If it does it does; there is no pressure and he is only eight.

'He would not be able to have a prep race but he could go for a racecourse gallop.

'He is in the two-and-a-half-mile and three mile handicaps at Cheltenham ? not too many horses make all and gallop up the hill at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs so I think he will get three miles, but we may decide to drop him back in trip.'

(C) PA Sport