ANDY STEWART’S Poquelin will have to shrug off the burden of 11st 12lb if he is to provide his owner with victory in his own race, the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham on December 10.

TWO lengths was the winning distance, but connections of Grands Crus were in no doubt David Pipe’s grey had made a far greater margin of progress in the GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury yesterday.

HENRY de Bromhead’s Loosen My Load is on target for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday and the trainer feels he will benefit from stepping back up in distance.