Ground questions for Joncol

PAUL NOLAN is unsure how Joncol will handle conditions at Newbury as he prepares to take his chance in Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup.

The dual Grade One winner has been campaigned solely in testing conditions in Ireland during his career and the ground he encounters at Newbury is likely to be the fastest he has ever run on.

Nolan is praying for rain to give his eight-year-old the best possible chance and he is reported to be in rude health having made an impressive seasonal return at Thurles at the start of this month.