Cooldine bids to upset top two

IT HAS been described as a head-to-head to give Ali-Frazier a run for their money but Willie Mullins will be hoping Cooldine can give lie to the conventional wisdom that the Gold Cup is a classic head-to-head.

Last year’s RSA Chase winner is the sole Irish hope in the festival’s blue riband event and was third favourite behind Kauto Star and Denman in the odds last night.

While impressive in his festival victory a year ago, it was an incredibly tough race that has led to doubts as to the toll it took on the now seven-year old.