Burton excited about Cappa Bleu

Burton, who partnered Cappa Bleu to victory last season in the Foxhunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will be back on board now that the horse has returned to Sheila Crow – at her Hadnall yard near Shrewsbury – after his unsuccessful stint with Evan Williams.

Burton, who had a fruitless journey to Ludlow yesterday when likely favourite Cedrus Libani was pulled out of the Hunter Chase because of the ground, said: "I love Cappa Bleu and he is absolute quality.

"I have not spoken about plans with Mrs Crow but she will probably start him off pointing to see where we are with him before any thought is given to Hunter Chases."

But Burton revealed he is unlikely to have a runner at Aintree next week.

Said Burton: "All of the horses I have been involved with will not be going to Aintree so, at the moment, it does not look as though I will have a ride there."

She got the better of Ollie Greenall to win on Theatre Diva, a horse that won twice when in the ownership of the Ludlow Racing Partnership in 2006.

And the charity race proved to be a big success for Shropshire as Home Made, owned and trained by Heidi Brookshaw – the daughter of Grand National winning trainer Steve Brookshaw – and ridden by Terry Warburton, landed the spoils.