CONEYGREE could make his eagerly-awaited return in the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, trained by Mark Bradstock at Letcombe Bassett, was due to make his seasonal reappearance in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel in September.

However, connections decided to bypass the trip to Ireland when the going turned heavy.

Now they are hoping conditions will be suitable in west Yorkshire this weekend for the ten-year-old to tackle the Grade 2 contest.

Coneygree was last seen in action when finishing a close third to Sizing John, this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup in April.

And the son of Karinga Bay has the option of a return trip to the Emerald Isle for the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, also on Saturday.

Meanwhile, East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison will be out in Australia to supervise Marmelo’s final preparations ahead of the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington next Tuesday.

The four-year-old shot to the top of the betting for the race which stops a nation after putting in an eye-catching display to dead-heat for sixth in the recent BMW Caulfield Cup won by 50-1 shot Boom Time.

Marmelo, winner of the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville at Chantilly and the Group 2 Darley Prix Kergorlay at Deauville this season, is a best-priced 7-1 second favourite for the Group 1 two-mile handicap, which carries a first prize of £2.155m.

Back on these shores, West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon sent out Iconic Code to spring a 16-1 surprise at Pontefract.

The two-year-old filly showed the benefit of a 40-day break following a minor setback to get off the mark by staying on well to land a mile nursery by a length from Milan Reef under John Egan.