Paul Nicholls hopes Al Ferof can start as he means to go on in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The grey paid the penalty for trying to force the pace against Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle in March and was then beaten at Aintree, but the champion trainer retains the faith.

"He goes well fresh, he jumped well for Ruby (Walsh) in the week. While it's a tough task at the weights, if he's going to be a genuine Grade One winner of the future he has to be going close off that mark - and the same applies to Grands Crus," said the Ditcheat handler.

"If you look at his form with For Non Stop in the Henry VIII, that's good form. He also ran very well in a Grade One (Victor Chandler) at Ascot against Somersby. He made a mistake in the Arkle which ruled him out of that race and he was over the top by Aintree, so I've put a line through his spring form."

Walsh feels Al Ferof is the right type of horse for the race, telling At The Races: "You need a Graded horse to win it. It's a handicap in a word but not many handicappers win it. They tend to be Graded horses.

"Al Ferof has plenty of weight to give. He has to give Grands Crus 2lb. That shouldn't make much difference, but Grands Crus will be hard to beat and the team at Pond House are bullish.

"You look at Al Ferof's Supreme Novices' form. He is a Grade One horse. If he is going to be a King George horse this season he'll have to go pretty close on Saturday."

Owner John Hales is still on a high after winning the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, but is eyeing more big-race glory, saying: "He has raced over two and a half miles before and done very well. We have our eye on the King George, which he has an entry for.

"If he runs well over two and a half at Cheltenham, that would be the equivalent of three miles on a flat track like Kempton. Paul will make a decision about his next target after the Paddy Power."

Divers was third in the race 12 months ago, and trainer Ferdy Murphy said: "He's in great form. He schooled on Tuesday and worked well on Wednesday. I'm very happy with him. It's a hot contest, but that is exactly what you would expect for the good money on offer."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests