Eldorado Allen set for Charlie Hall showdown with Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame

Eldorado Allen will bid to lay down a marker for the upcoming season and demonstrate his King George credentials when taking on Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday (3.35).

The Joe Tizzard-trained eight-year-old boasts several high-profile wins on his CV, including three Grade 2 successes, and his finest hour arguably came when he defeated Royale Pagaille and the dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Denman Chase in February.

The Tizzards won the Boxing Day showpiece with Cue Card, who began his season with an impressive win at Wetherby, in 2015 and again with Thistlecrack the following year.

Joe Tizzard said: "He's been really good. He's coming back after a progressive season where he went up 11lb and as we stepped up in trip he got better. He won the Denman but was tailed off at Aintree which was fine. He's our highest-rated horse and the flat track should suit at Wetherby."

Eldorado Allen's performance on Saturday will cement in Tizzard's mind whether he has what it takes to launch a challenge for the Kempton Grade 1.

Tizzard added: "This will dictate whether we can have a crack at a King George. There's lots of options and we haven't really exposed him at three miles, which is exciting."

Sporting John holds entries at Wetherby and Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

While Eldorado Allen's plans are firmly on course, Philip Hobbs has cast some doubt over the participation of Sporting John, who holds entries in both the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby and the London Gold Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

Hobbs said: "The horse is very good and we're keen to run him at the weekend but the ground is all important to him. As a result, I think we'll have to see nearer the time what to do.

"We'll have a chat with Frank [Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus] on Thursday and make a decision about whether to run and which race looks the best to go for if we do run."

The versatile seven-year old won a Grade 1 over fences in 2021 but was campaigned over hurdles last season where he won two of his three starts, including a Listed handicap at Cheltenham.

Hobbs added: "He had a blip in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival – it was nothing more than that – but he's fine now. In fact, he's better than fine, he's really quite well."

Charlie Hall Chase (Wetherby, Saturday 3.35)

bet365: 6-5 Bravemansgame, 5-2 Ahoy Senor, 11-2 Eldorado Allen, 10 Dashel Drasher, Secret Investor, 16 Good Boy Bobby, Sam Brown, Win My Wings, 66 bar

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