Nicky Henderson is confident Beware The Bear can claim the win in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.
Beware the Bear was last seen when coming in eighth in a field of 12 in a Grade 2 handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
After working hard at home, trainer Nicholls feels the timing is “perfect” for the 10-year-old to return to action ahead of the Grade 3 steeplechase at Newbury’s Ladbrokes Winter Carnival, which takes place on November 27 and 28.
“He has run really well in this race before and the difference we found out with him is that we always thought he wanted to be up there when coming out of the gate,” he said, as reported by Newbury Today.
“It is the right race for him because he is a genuine stayer. Jerry [McGrath] always rides him and we won’t be forcing him early on.
“We will drop him in so he can find his feet a little bit and he enjoyed himself around the gallops.
“He was supposed to be at Cheltenham, but he was pretty heavy and he needed an extra week so the timing should be perfect.”