Sackville set for Wetherby

Star chaser Sackville has been given the green light to compete at Wetherby this weekend.

Frances Crowley, the trainer of last season`s top novice, confirmed today that the eight-year-old will make the trip instead of taking up an alternative engagement over two miles at Navan the same afternoon.

The decision to run in the #50,000 Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase further enhances what was already shaping up to be a thrilling contest with plenty of top-flight performers.

Sackville has won eight of his 11 starts over fences but proved a bitter disappointment on his reappearance at Punchestown a fortnight ago when a well-beaten third of four.

However Crowley put that defeat down to the inadequate two-mile trip.

'It was the distance that beat him and the reason we have gone for Wetherby is that I don`t want to turn him on his head again - maybe he will run again over two miles later in the season but not for a bit,' she said today.

'He has improved for that run and heis doing everything well.'

Despite the stiff competition, connections are hoping for a big showing.

'He loves goodish or soft ground and there will be no excuses on Saturday,' Miss Crowley added.

'I will be very disappointed if he isn`t in the first three.'

Meanwhile Paul Nicholls will make a final decision over running plans for the race on Friday morning.

He has both top novice Shotgun Willy and See More Business, the winner of this race for the past two years, among the entries.

'I won`t be making my mind up until the last moment,' said Nicholls. 'We could run both or just one, nothing has been decided.'