Gunther McBride passed a fitness test with flying colours on Tuesday morning and heads with Richard Johnson for Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

RICHARD JOHNSON will school Flagship Uberalles over fences at the stable of Philip Hobbs this morning as the chaser continues his build-up to the £100,000 Mitsubishi Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday week.

PHILIP HOBBS’ two possible contenders for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle - Rooster Booster and In Contrast - are set to clash at Cheltenham on Sunday.