Sam Waley-Cohen admits he is ready for a fight as his partner Long Run bids to justify favouritism in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects in National Hunt racing, having made a scintillating British debut in the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton last Christmas.
He followed up at Warwick before meeting with defeat when third in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
‘He's in great form - I went down to school him on Wednesday and he did that really well,’ said the amateur jockey, who will be riding for his father, Robert.
‘It's a big handicap and you need a bit of luck. These Cheltenham handicaps are like war, and you need a bit of luck in war.’
Henderson saddles both Long Run and Mad Max, the mount of Barry Geraghty, and reports the pair to be in great form.
‘They both had their last little spin together this morning and everything has gone well,’ said the Seven Barrows handler.
‘You would like to think they are both in good form.
‘You'd find opinion is very split between them in the yard. Both horses will have their supporters.’
The Paddy Power is one of the few major National Hunt prizes still to elude champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who this year fires three bullets in Poquelin, Gwanako and Tchico Polos.
Poquelin finished second 12 months ago but carries top weight this time around. Tchico Polos won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter earlier this month, while Gwanako is one of the outsiders.
‘Poquelin is in good form, but he has plenty of weight,’ said Nicholls.
‘Ian Popham is riding him and he takes a handy 5lb off, with Ruby (Walsh) being injured.
‘Tchico Polos won the Haldon Gold Cup from 5lb out of the handicap and has got a 5lb penalty, which sort of puts him on the same mark.
‘He's actually gone up 9lb so arguably he's well in. The other day at Exeter was his target, really, and there is nothing else for him.
‘This might come a bit quick, but he's in good form so we're going to let him run.
‘Gwanako needs to improve on what he's done so far.’
Great Endeavour is 7lb higher in the weights than when winning the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival in March.
Trainer David Pipe is pleased with the six-year-old grey's condition, but reaffirmed his belief that Long Run will be very difficult to beat.
‘He's summered very well and has been doing good work at home, but like I said earlier in the week, I think Long Run will probably win,’ said the Pond House handler.
‘Hopefully we won't be too far behind. He did very well to win at the Festival last season as he was a novice taking on seasoned handicappers.
‘Second-season novices have a good record in this so let's hope we can keep it up.
‘He wouldn't want it too soft, but they've all got to go on it.’
Edgbriar will try to repeat last month's success over the course and distance.
‘He's in very, very good form and he goes well at the track,’ said his trainer Paul Webber.
‘He was second to Hey Big Spender in January, who won the other day, and he (Edgbriar) won there (Cheltenham) first time out this season.
‘He might not get another chance in a race like this off this weight so we'll give it a go.’
