Neville counting down to Charlie Hall with The Real Whacker

Patrick Neville is praying the rain stays away from Wetherby to give The Real Whacker the best possible chance of winning a second bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.

Although now in the twilight of his career at the age of 10, the Cheltenham Festival hero proved he still has more to give when carrying top-weight to victory at Perth last month, his first victory since winning the Charlie Hall two years ago.

The Real Whacker was disappointing when defending his Wetherby crown last season and also failed to fire in the Relkeel Hurdle before being pulled up in the Grand National, but his performance in Scotland is giving Neville hope he can continue his resurgence in West Yorkshire on October 31.

“He did it well up at Perth, we were very happy with him and he came out of it well,” said the Coverham handler.

“We’re definitely heading for the Charlie Hall and we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully the rain doesn’t come as we know he likes good ground.

“He had a few little issues earlier in the year we’ve had sorted out, so he seems to be back happy again and I suppose the blinkers have sharpened him up.

“He’s fresh and well, he was good in Perth and he had to do it the hard way. He hasn’t much mileage on the clock and you wouldn’t mind if the Charlie Hall was next week.”

Neville’s string is certainly in fine form as the National Hunt season proper begins to step up a gear, with four of his last five runners – including Alfred Wincham on the Flat at York on Saturday – having returned to his Wensleydale base victorious.

He added: “Everything we’re running is running well, so we’re happy and keeping it going now is the thing.

“We’ve a few for the first Cheltenham meeting later in the month and then you’ve the Charlie Hall, so we’ve a busy few weeks ahead hopefully.”