Get the view from connections and Man On The Spot verdicts for Saturday's feature action at Wetherby.
Tom George- Double Shuffle: "He's in good form. He'll get his ground, he hasn't had it for a bit. It's a starting point. He had a nice summer and has been in since July. He's in good form and we're looking for a nice run. He obviously seems to be better round Kempton than anywhere else, but I think Wetherby should suit him, it's a flat track which he likes, and he likes the better ground, so let's hope he can show his Kempton form."
Anthony Honeyball - Regal Encore: "His prep has gone really well. We had this race and the one at Ascot in mind. With the race at Wetherby cutting up we're letting him take his chance there,. He's not too badly off at the weights. It's a realistic opportunity for him. We've declared on good ground, but we'll have to see what people think of the ground up there. As long as it's safe ground then we're looking forward to running him."
Paul Nicholls - Black Corton: "Black Corton doesn't mind if the ground is quick. Frodon did well on Sunday (winning the Old Roan Chase) and Black Corton is very much in the same mould as him. He's not an obvious Gold Cup winner, but he'll run well to his level and if the ground is quick the Charlie Hall might well suit him."
Man On The Spot verdict:
A disappointing turnout for this Grade 2 won by the likes of Silviano Conti, Cue Card and Bristol De Mai in recent years. DOUBLE SHUFFLE is the pick of the weights on his second to Might Bite in last season’s King George. He didn’t reproduce that form in two subsequent runs in April but may be at his best at this time of year so gets the nod. Definitly Red was beaten 24 lengths in this last year but later won Grade 2 races at Aintree and Cheltenham and landed the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick over course and distance in 2016. Virgilio is making giant strides and Black Corton and Bryony Frost proved a potent partnership last season. The seven-year-old won the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton among eight victories but still has a bit to prove against more battle-hardened chasers.
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