Three-time winner Ollie Magern poised for Boxing Day return to Wetherby (From York Press)

Three-time winner Ollie Magern poised for Boxing Day return to Wetherby

9:21am Wednesday 23rd December 2009 in Sport By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

THREE-time Wetherby winner Ollie Magern could bid for another victory at his favourite track in the coral.co.uk Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ specialist is entered in Kempton’s King George VI Chase but is more likely to run in Wetherby’s three-mile, one-furlong show-piece then take on Kauto Star, the trainer said.

Ollie Magern, twice a winner of the Charlie Hall Chase, finished fifth last year behind Paul Nicholls’ Nozic, who is also entered to defend his Rowland Meyrick title.

Now 11, Ollie Magern last ran at Wetherby in October when he was third behind Deep Purple in the Charlie Hall.

Twiston-Davies said: “Ollie Magern will go for the Rowland Meyrick, as long as it isn’t too soft.

“Wetherby is first preference as it’s a handicap, but he would have second top weight.”

Twiston-Davies may revert to Kempton, should ground conditions be unsuitable at Wetherby.

Ollie Magern’s entry is one of 22 to stand at the early stages in the Rowland Meyrick.

A competitive looking list also includes Habton Grange handler Tim Easterby’s Zitenka – a Wetherby winner in November – and Donald McCain’s Will Be Done.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Tim Walford has also entered former Welsh National contender Gypsy George, and is pleased with the eight-year-old’s form.

“He will have blinkers on for the first time and I think they will make a big difference,” he said.

“He’s idle but he’s not ungenuine and I think they will improve him no end.

“He’s a dour stayer and he can jump.

“On heavy ground he’s a good horse and he will most likely go to Wetherby.”

Three former winners are set to line up in the Castleford Chase on Sunday.

Santa’s Son, the 2008 winner for County Durham handler Howard Johnson, will face off against Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson’s dual victor Calatagan (2006 and 2007) and 2005 champion Mister McGoldrick, who is bidding to take his ninth race on the Wetherby track.

Wetherby’s two-day Christmas meeting remains dependent on a thaw in the big freeze.

Frost covers are on the take-off and landing areas, but the track is still covered in snow.

Elsewhere, Walford has Sheriff Hutton entered in a Novice Chase at Wetherby on Sunday, but concedes he is more likely to go to Kempton on Boxing Day instead.

“He’s in a 0-130 chase at Kempton,” he added.

“There are easier options for him in the north, but I don’t think they are going to be on.

“He’s got good early pace and wants ground either side of good.

“He might want further than two miles, four furlongs but he is not slow.”