hussar

A resolute galloper and sound jumper, Hussard Collonges was giving weight all round when second to Truckers Tavern at Haydock last time.

For me Hussard Collonges is the forgotten chaser in the Gold Cup picture who can currently be backed at three or four times the price he started last March - even the place money is 6-1 or 8-1.

The feature event is the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, with the likes of Truckers Tavern, Valley Henry, Chives and Hussard Collonges all possible runners.

A bad mistake by the last-named sealed his fate but Hussard Collonges, who had led most of the way, was still disputing the running as the leaders approached the last.

Taking it up at the final fence Fitzgerald and Marlborough stayed on too strongly for Hussard Collonges (9-1) with Gingembre (14-1), who made a bad mistake at the second fence, a neck back in third.

By the very nature of the game, a horse can easily be forgotten when he is not producing the goods, but it's worth reminding everyone that Hussard Collonges was a Cheltenham Festival winner three seasons ago when he was being favourably compared with another Peter Beaumont chaser Jodami.

Hussard Collonges has been without a win since his Festival success and until the mishap was being prepared for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

CORAL: 13-8 Jair Du Cochet, 9-2 First Gold, 9-1 Fondmort, 14-1 Swansea Bay, Valley Henry, 16-1 La Landiere, 25-1 Edredon Bleu, Hussard Collonges, Le Roi Miguel, Marlborough, Tiutchev, 50-1 Batman Senora, It Takes Time, Seebald.

TOUGH and consistent Hussard Collonges is the selection to take Gold for Peter Beaumont at Cheltenham tomorrow.

A good run in the Peter Marsh Chase will put Barton right in the Gold Cup picture, particularly if he can get the better of Hussard Collonges, who is a 12-1 shot for the big race in March.

PETER BEAUMONT has his string in top form ahead of Hussard Collonges's bid for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow.

Gingembre and Hussard Collonges both ran well on their comeback runs after injury.

Pertemps King George VI Chase betting: Ladbrokes: 11-8 Best Mate (with a run), 7-4 Jair Du Cochet, 7-2 First Gold, Strong Flow (war), 7-1 Fondmort, 12-1 Swansea Bay, 14-1 Valley Henry, 16-1 La Landiere, Le Roi Miguel, 20-1 Edredon Bleu, Marlborough, Tiutchev, 25-1 Hussard Collonges, 33-1 Batman Senora, 40-1 It Takes Time, Seebald.

Though headed by Peter Beaumont's Royal & SunAlliance winner Hussard Collonges two out, he fought back on the run-in to land the spoils by two and a half lengths.

HUSSARD COLLONGES, one of four British entries for the Grade One Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup, could run in the Irish race - weather permitting.