Colonel Set For Newbury Assignment

Colonel Frank could head straight for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup without a prep run after connections decided to bypass two possible assignments at Chepstow this weekend.

Brendan Powell´s eight-year-old is entered for the ladbrokes.com Silver Trophy and the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at the Welsh track on Saturday but will not compete in either event.

'He´s fine, but I´ve just not got him quite right so we won´t be running him at the weekend,' confirmed Powell.

'It is pointless running if he´s not 100% - but I also wouldn´t want him going on that ground because it´s likely to be too soft for him.'

Sent off a 4-1 favourite in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on his last outing in February, the Toulon gelding fell at the second-last fence after struggling to cope with the soft conditions.

Colonel Frank landed three competitive chases prior to that run and is now being lined up for the Hennessy on November 26 - even if he is not seen on a racecourse in the build-up to the Newbury feature.

'If he doesn´t run in the next fortnight I´ll send him straight to the Hennessy fresh because he is the sort I can get right without a race under his belt,' added the Morestead handler.

'He wouldn´t want it too soft but he can go on good, good to soft ground.

'I think he can improve quite a bit more this season because he´s still only eight and his work at home has been very encouraging.'

(C) PA Sport