Jonjo O'Neill has raised the possibility of Sunnyhillboy running in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Although not expected to be a contender to retain the title after Synchronised's victory for the stable last year, it is more part of his preparation for the John Smith's Grand National. While the Gold Cup hero lost his life at Aintree, Sunnyhillboy was denied victory by only a nose. He made a promising reappearance over hurdles at Haydock but was pulled up at Warwick last month.

"I've got him in the Pertemps, but there will be 28 runners there and I wouldn't want anything to happen to him," said O'Neill.

"I'm not sure where we'll go, but the plan is really Aintree. He could well run at Cheltenham and there would be fewer runners in the Gold Cup so it might be an option."

Nicky Henderson plans to see whether cheekpieces will make a difference to Long Run's performance when he is assessed by jumping guru Yogi Breisner later this week.

Breisner, who is an important part of the British eventing team set-up, is often asked to run his eye over top racehorses, and has worked with the Robert Waley-Cohen-owned eight-year-old before.

While Long Run was a good second in the Betfair Chase and won another King George at Christmas, he has raced a little lazily at times and needed to be pushed out to stay level with fellow Gold Cup contender Bobs Worth and Champion Hurdle aspirant Binocular when the trio worked together at Kempton last weekend.

"Yogi's coming down to school a few horses this week, and we'll probably school him in the cheekpieces, as it's something we're thinking about," Henderson said.

Henderson will complete the preparations of his other Champion Hurdle contender, Grandouet, as well as the red-hot Arkle favourite Simonsig, with another racecourse gallop at the weekend.

"Simonsig, Megalypos and Grandouet will go to Newbury on Sunday, and it will be just like what we did at Kempton," he said.

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