Connections of Diamond Harry are not expecting any fireworks when the high-class gelding returns in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton.

Little has gone right for the Nick Williams-trained nine-year-old since his marquee victory in the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury as he failed to show his old sparkle in four starts last season.

Another minor setback forced him to miss an intended comeback run in last weekend's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and although he is now ready for a return to competitive action, he has plenty on his plate in attempting to concede weight to each of his 12 rivals in Somerset.

Jane Williams, wife and assistant to the Devon handler, insists a clear round is the priority.

She said: "He's in good form. The main thing we want to see is he gets there and completes the course. He tweaked something last week so we couldn't take a chance and run him at Wetherby. He's ready to go now. It's been frustrating with him but all is good at the moment."

West End Rocker was an early casualty in last season's Grand National and also failed to complete the course in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. His trainer Alan King told his website: "West End Rocker starts back on the comeback road in the Badger Ales Trophy.

"Last year everything was geared around the Grand National, which proved a disaster, and, though we might consider the Becher Chase, he definitely won't be going back to Aintree next April. We will be more aggressive with our plans this winter, and if he runs well here he could be aimed at either the Hennessy or the Becher."

David Pipe saddles veteran Tamarinbleu, as well as interesting staying chaser The Package, and said: "Tamarinbleu isn't get any younger but he's going well at home. We're claiming off him but he's still probably going to find it tough.

"The Package is in good form and this has been one of his early-season targets. It's a competitive race but hopefully he'll give a good account of himself. Both of them have done plenty of work."

Suzy Smith is hoping for a dry night for her talented mare Aimigayle, saying: "She's in good form at home and I am just hoping they don't get too much rain overnight. If the ground went to good to soft, soft in places we might not even run. Hopefully she can take her chance as she has a nice weight (10st 2lb)."

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist

16 June 2013

Songbird aiming to fly high
Movie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation

15 June 2013

Marengo set for battle royal
Saddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run