Nicholls expects big run from Azertyuiop
Hot favourite at 11-10 to take the limited handicap chase last November, Azertyuiop blundered and unseated Mick Fitzgerald as Edredon Bleu went on to land the spoils.
The seven-year-old redeemed himself with victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last March and he is 11-8 market leader with the sponsors to get his season off to a winning start today.
Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "Although he was unlucky in the race last year, the Haldon Gold Cup is an ideal place to start Azertyuiop's campaign and he is fit, well and ready to go."
The Ditcheat trainer believes Azertyuiop will be all the better for the race.
"The only thing about him is that he's 12 kilos over his very best weight, but there's no point having him anywhere near that at the moment," he told Racing UK.
"He's done an awful lot more work at home than he did going into this race last year.
"The way the horses are all running he's going to be fit, but the only way we will lose those 12 kilos is by running him tomorrow. It will put him spot on for the Tingle Creek at Sandown next month.
"We're very happy with him and we are hoping for a big run."
His rider Ruby Walsh added: "I sat on him a fortnight ago and he seems to be in good nick.
"He'll obviously improve for the run. He's a gross horse and takes plenty of work, but we're hoping for a good show all the same."
Nicholls also runs Kadarann, who was third 12 months ago behind Edredon Bleu.
The latter's trainer Henrietta Knight is hoping Edredon Bleu's advancing years will not catch up with him in his bid for a hat-trick of victories in this race.
The 12-year-old belied his age last season by winning all his five races, highlighted by his success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.
The 2000 Queen Mother Champion Chase hero has carried top weight of 11st 10lb to victory in the Exeter event, but that distinction this time goes to Azertyuiop, who has to give Edredon Bleu 5lb.
Even so, Ms Knight believes her veteran faces a tough task.
"He's up against it tomorrow with the likes of Azertyuiop, but the 5lb he is getting will help with his ageing years," said the Wantage trainer.
"He's sparkling well and in good form he's ready for his race. He seems to be loving everything at home, so let's hope he can transfer it to the racecourse.
"We are hopeful that he runs a big race tomorrow. I know he'll have a lot of supporters down there."
Philip Hobbs runs Flagship Uberalles, winner of this race in 1999.
The 10-year-old won the Champion Chase in 2002 and was runner-up to Azertyuiop this year.
Hobbs said: "The Haldon Gold Cup has been Flagship Uberalles's target for a while and he is in great form at the moment."
Martin Pipe runs Seebald, while Mark Pitman saddles last month's Huntingdon hurdle winner Hot Shots, who is 9lb out of the handicap.
Pitman believes his nine-year-old will have a race-sharpness edge over the opposition.
The handler said: "I'm over the moon with the horse. He's as fit as a flea. He won on his comeback 28 days ago at Huntingdon, which was just perfect. That was always the plan.
"The horse is ready to go. Obviously we are racing from a little bit out of the handicap and we are taking on the top horses, but it's their first run of the season and there are not many obvious targets for this horse to go for.
"The track, the trip, the ground all that is in our favour and he'll run as good as he is."
Cashmans bet: 11/10 Azertyuiop, 3/1 Edredon Bleu, 6/1 Flagship Uberalles, 8/1 Kadarann, 10/1 Seebald, 12/1 Hot Shots, 200/1 Penthouse Minstrel.
