Richard Johnson was pleased with Coneygree‘s progress after a schooling session in Lambourn on Tuesday morning.
The nine-year-old has won nine of his 11 starts and claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, but he was then closed down due to injury after winning at Sandown in November last year.
The son of Karinga Bay looks set to return to action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday and trainer Mark Bradstock was keen for Johnson to give his charge a spin prior to the race.
The champion jockey stepped in after Coneygree’s regular partner Nico de Boinville broke an arm in a fall at Cheltenham on Saturday and reported that the gelding is in fine order.
Johnson tweeted: “Just left Lambourn after schooling Coneygree he felt great and looked in great shape.”
Bradstock also took to Twitter, adding: “Successful morning schooling #coneygree, everyone pleased including Richard Johnson. The focus is the next few days then on to Saturday.”