Moore provides positive update for duo

Trainer Gary Moore is hoping Benatar and Ar Mad will be fit enough to make an appearance at Sandown on the final day of the season.

Benatar ran home third in the JLT Novices Chase at Cheltenham earlier this month but connections feared he had suffered a pelvis injury.

The six-year-old was sent for scans which gave him the all-clear and Moore is now hoping to get his charge back in action for the bet365 Josh Gifford Novices Handicap Chase on April 28.

Moore said: “He had a bone scan, he is fine and he has got the all clear from the vets.

“He will have a few days walking, we will see how it is and take it from there, but the good thing is the bone scan showed no fracture of the pelvis.

“He won't get back for Aintree, but hopefully we will get him back for the novice chase at Sandown on the last day of the season.”

Moore is also hopeful of taking stablemate Ar Mad to Sandown with the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase in his sights.

Ar Mad tore his groin when running at Cheltenham but again Moore is confident that he will be ok to run next month.

He added: “He tore his groin at Cheltenham and was bleeding into his scrotum for three hours. My vet had never seen anything like that before and the vets at Cheltenham did a brilliant job.

“He is progressing as each day goes on and I am hopeful we might get him back for the Celebration Chase.”