McBride passes test

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.

The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding, the winner of last year’s Racing Post Chase, will be ridden by Johnson as he joins stablemate Ever Blessed in the contest.

Concerns over a recent bout of setfast, a consequence of a leg injury picked up in his last race, had led to Hobbs expressing doubts over whether his charge would be ready in time to line up at Newbury.

But after Gunther McBride worked three times up Hobbs’ five-furlong woodchip gallop this morning, the prognosis was looking considerably improved.

“On Monday it was only 50-50 but now I would say he is 95 per cent likely to run,” reported Hobbs.

“I am very relieved that he seems fine and his tracheal wash was okay.”