Coneygree© Photo Healy Racing
Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree will not make his return to action in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
Mark Bradstock's nine-year-old became the first novice in 41 years to claim the blue riband, but has not been seen in competitive action since running at Sandown last November.
The West Yorkshire showpiece was mooted as a possible comeback target but with the ground considered unsuitable, connections have decided to wait and the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19 is now his most likely starting point.
The trainer's wife and assistant, Sara Bradstock, said: "He won't be entered for the Charlie Hall.
"We've said all along he'd only go there if that was the only place he'd get soft ground.
"Haydock is our main aim and the Charlie Hall is also pretty close to that.
"He's in good nick, so fingers crossed we'll have him ready for that (Betfair Chase).
"He's going really well, but obviously we're desperate for some rain so we can get him on the grass. He's only worked on the all-weather so far because the ground has been so firm."
Wetherby's clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson is not anticipating any significant rainfall between now and next weekend.
He said: "The forecast is fairly dry, but it's not particularly drying weather.
"We have clear nights, so we're getting a heavy dew and plenty of moisture in the ground.
"The ground is good, good to soft in places in the back straight, and there is an odd shower forecast midweek.
"If we have to water to maintain good ground we will, but I don't think it would take much."
