Carruthers will bid to emulate Arkle and land back-to-back victories in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The legendary Irish jumper is the only horse to win the prestigious staying handicap chase in successive years in 1964 and '65, but while Arkle defied the massive burden of 12st 7lb on both occasions, Carruthers carried only 10st 4lb last year and has 3lb more this time.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I hope it doesn't dry up too much and make it really sticky ground. especially after a day's racing on Friday," his trainer Mark Bradstock told At The Races.

"He's in really good form. He's only got 10st 7lb - I'm certainly not complaining about that. The likes of Bobs Worth have got to give him about a stone. It's going to be interesting.

"Going down the back they always go an absolute million miles an hour, but I think there are probably going to be only a few finishers and one thing this fella does is stay."

Things have not gone right for the nine-year-old so far this term after he was left at the start on his intended reappearance at Cheltenham and was well-beaten there when he did run last month.

"I thought he jumped super at Cheltenham," said Bradstock.

"He had 11st 12lb on his back in really nasty ground which we've always known he can't cope with. He is not a robust enough horse to carry that kind of weight anyway. He looked like he was enjoying himself and jumped from fence to fence and came back fine."

Tom Gibney is concerned a lack of match practice may catch out his Irish Grand National hero Lion Na Bearnai. The 10-year-old gave his little-known trainer a major victory at Fairyhouse in the spring, but a minor setback meant he has not been able to have a prep run.

"He's all set to go. He was due to have a prep run but unfortunately that didn't work out because we had a bit of a hold-up with him about a month ago," said Gibney.

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