Hobbs hoping to have the Power

Philip Hobbs is hoping either Monkerhostin or Lacdoudal can spoil the Paddy Power Gold Cup party for Martin Pipe tomorrow.

The latter runs favourite Our Vic and Therealbandit as he bids to win the Cheltenham feature for an incredible eighth time, but Hobbs believes Monkerhostin could be the ace in the pack.

The eight-year-old has been an admirable dual-purpose performer for Hobbs and he will be having just his fourth start over fences.

Monkerhostin put in an eye-catching performance when lifting the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time – the race in which triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate tragically collapsed and died.

Hobbs said: “They have both got very decent chances. You could argue that Monkerhostin’s run other day was the best of his life and he must have a good chance at the weights, as he seems to be still improving.

“But it was a tough call for Richard Johnson to pick him, as Lacdoudal is an improving -second-season chaser with a good record around here.

“It’s very tight.”

Our Vic looked set to beat Monkerhostin in last year’s bonusprint.com Gold Cup at Prestbury Park only to come a cropper at the final fence.

The seven-year-old was down for some time that day and Pipe struggled to get him back on form as he felt the effects of the fall for some time and was pulled up on his two subsequent runs.

Pipe said: “We have done a lot of extra schooling with him to get his confidence back. It was a very nasty fall he had at Cheltenham, but hopefully we’ve got him back on song.”

Owner David Johnson is concerned the horse may lack the guts for a fight though if the going should get tough.

“He may well be a bridle horse, who knows. When he’s finished, he’s been on the premises and he won, but he did pull up three times last year which is not very impressive really,” he told At The Races.

“He is a very good horse, there’s no doubt about that, but I think maybe he’s just a little temperamental. He may be a bit soft.

“He may just think ‘I’m not sure I like this any more’ so I think he has to have things his own way. But as far as the handicap goes, he’s very well in.”

Johnson also fancies Therealbandit’s chances of running a big race.

He added: “He’s very, very well and is a hold-up horse. I think he will run a very big race.

“I wouldn’t want to put anyone off Therealbandit as I think he’s a storming each-way bet.

“If Our Vic runs his race I think he will finish in front (of Therealbandit). Timmy (Murphy) had the choice of rides and he thought long and hard and eventually came down on the side of Our Vic.”

Len Lungo expects Tony Dobbin to be fit to ride his runner, Brooklyn Breeze, after making a speedy recovery from a fall at Taunton on Thursday.

Dobbin set out the action today but he travelled to Newcastle for physiotherapy.

Lungo told At The Races: “The horse stood on the back of his shoulder so the doctor sent him for a precautionary X-ray but that was clear.

“He’s a tough nut and has had a night’s sleep and pronounced himself almost ready to ride today. He’s thought better of it but he’s here (at Newcastle) and he’s having a bit of physio.”

Lungo also reports Brooklyn Breeze, a winner over hurdles at Aintree on his reappearance last month, to have settled in well after travelling to Cheltenham from his Scottish base.

“He’s there and he’s eaten up and there are no problems,” he explained. “The horse has gone there and his preparation has been uninterrupted since he won at Aintree and he’s done everything we’ve asked.

“He’s jumped a few fences and we have got him there on his ideal weight. The race takes a lot of winning but he would be one of the ones with a decent chance in the race.”

Nicky Henderson is double-handed in the race, with 2003 winner Fondmort, as well as Liberthine, who tasted Festival success back in March.

However, the Seven Barrows trainer has concerns about the pair and said: “Fondmort is in great form, but 11st 12lb is a brutal weight. But he has to have that weight, it’s his race and he’s got to run in it.

“Liberthine is a lovely mare who won the Mildmay Of Flete here and Sam Waley-Cohen gets on very well with her. I would have loved to have waited another 10 days with her, but there aren’t any other options.

“I think she is iching for three miles and this race will bring her on.”

Paddy Power Gold Cup betting:

Sponsors: 100-30 Our Vic, 9-2 Monkerhostin, 6-1 Lacdoudal, 10-1 Brooklyn Breeze, 12-1 My Will, Forget The Past, Redemption, 14-1 Kandjar d’Allier, Therealbandit, 16-1 Mariah Rollins, 20-1 Fondmort, 25-1 bar.

Totesport: 7-2 Our Vic, 4-1 Monkerhostin, 6-1 Lacdoudal, 9-1 Brooklyn Breeze, Redemption, 12-1 Therealbandit, 14-1 Forget The Past, Kandjar d’Allier, Mariah Rollins, 16-1 My Will, 20-1 Liberthine, 22-1 Fondmort, 25-1 bar.

Ladbrokes: 4-1 Our Vic, Monkerhostin, 6-1 Lacdoudal, 9-1 Brooklyn Breeze, 11-1 Redemption, 12-1 Therealbandit, Mariah Rollins, 14-1 Forget The Past, Kandjar d’Allier, My Will, 25-1 bar.