RYEDALE runner Cape Tribulation is aiming to make it two wins in three years at Wetherby's showpiece Boxing Day meeting.

The Malcolm Jefferson-trained ten-year-old is on course for a third successive appearance in the £40,000 Grade 3 William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong.

The race is the highlight of the two-day William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival at Wetherby on Boxing Day and Saturday, December 27.

Cape Tribulation sauntered to an 11-length victory over Mr Moonshine in 2012 and was not disgraced when third to Cloudy Too under joint top-weight in last year's renewal.

The Norton hopeful has only had one start over fences since, finishing seventh behind Sam Winner in the Grade 3 Murphy Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November.

Jefferson said: "Cape Tribulation goes to Wetherby for the William Hill Rowland Meyrick.

"He has come on great since Cheltenham. Some of mine have not been running that well but he is perking up and I am quite happy with him.

"I thought he ran all right at Cheltenham but he just got tired. He has been working nicely since and seems in great form.

"He was up there (in the ratings), but he's dropped to 142 now and the handicapper has given him a bit of a chance."

The William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival forms part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival, which continues at Catterick on Sunday, December 28 and Doncaster on Monday, December 29.