CONEYGREE will once again have to prove the doubters wrong at Newbury on Saturday – but there is no shortage of confidence from his stable, writes MARK EDWARDS.

The fragile ten-year-old has been beset by injury problems, making the track just four times since winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 2015.

Everything went wrong at Wetherby early last month, when jockey Nico De Boinville pulled him up early in the race after the horse suffered an over-reach.

That issue has now healed, and Coneygree, trained at Letcombe Bassett near Wantage by Mark Bradstock, goes for glory at Newbury this weekend in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

After coming through a schooling session at the course last week with flying colours, Sara Bradstock is excited about seeing her pride and joy back on track.

“It was not ideal last time at Wetherby, I cannot deny that,” said the trainer’s wife.

“But that’s done now. We have always said the Ladbrokes Trophy would suit him and while his fitness is the one major worry, there is no reason why he cannot be as good as ever.”

She added: “I truly believe he has another big race in him.

“People talk about him having to carry such a big weight in the field (11st 12lbs), but you have to remember that every race he has run in he has carried 11st 10lb.

“He only has to carry 2lb more and he is a big horse.

“Every day I ride him out and I cannot pretend that I weigh 8st!

“What we won’t know until we do it is whether giving horses two stone makes it easier to go his gallop.”

Bradstock admits it will be a nervous few days in the build-up to the big race, and says she will be keeping everything crossed he manages to avoid further setbacks.

“He is very fragile,” she said.

“If everything is right, we will run him. Every step he takes is a worry to me.

“I totally believe in him. He is bouncy and full of himself.

“It’s just getting him there in one piece now.”