Power trip will suit Loosen My Load, says de Bromhead
“He seems in good form,” he said. “The ground was possibly too soft at Limerick and I just thought the other horse quickened away on that ground and he struggled to catch him.
“I hope that the return to two and a half miles will help as he has good form over that trip at Cheltenham.
“It’s a competitive race and if he finishes in the money, it will be a fantastic run.”
Top weight Poquelin is set to run in the race, owner Andy Stewart revealed last evening.
Although an outsider for the fiercely-competitive handicap, the five-time Cheltenham winner, fifth in this race 12 months ago and second in 2009, is key to how the race will shape up.
Had the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old been absent, the weights would have risen 6lb, leaving leading fancy Wishfull Thinking with a welter burden, while a number of those who are currently out of the handicap would be able to run off their official mark.
Stewart also has the Nick Gifford-trained Nomecheki engaged, but he will run instead in the paddypower.com On Mobile Handicap Chase on Friday.
Ferdy Murphy is expecting a much-improved run from his Cheltenham Festival winner Divers compared to his seasonal debut at Carlisle, when he was pulled up in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase.
“Graham (Lee) rode him this morning in a nice bit of work and was happy with him,” Murphy told At The Races.
“The ground will be in his favour, so we’re looking forward to it.
“He wouldn’t have liked the conditions at Carlisle and the ground in Cheltenham will be more to his liking.
“He ran at Cheltenham last November in a race Time For Rupert won and the ground was a bit tacky that day and he didn’t handle it, but he is a good horse on top of the ground and we know he handles the track.”
Paddy Power Gold Cup:
Betfred bet: 4-1 Mon Parrain, 7-1 Wishfull Thinking, 11-1 Noble Prince, The Giant Bolster, 12-1 Divers, Great Endeavour, 14-1 bar.
Coral bet: 4-1 Mon Parrain, 7-1 Wishfull Thinking, 10-1 Great Endeavour, Noble Prince, The Giant Bolster, 14-1 bar.
