Boyle ace up for the Cup

Jim Boyle is looking forward to saddling Gavroche in tomorrow’s £85,000 (€122,000) bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock.

The five year-old has the quietly progressive profile that is often associated with the winner of this race, and was last seen in action at Limerick, where he finished fifth in Listed company.

Prior to that reverse, Gavroche had scored at Goodwood before finding only Alfie Noakes too strong in a similarly competitive Epsom handicap, and his handler reports him to be in good order.

“Gavroche is in super shape and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s a proper horse, he’s in good form and hopefully he’s still improving,” he said.

“He came out of his last race in real good nick, although things didn’t quite go to plan.

“He made up a lot of ground probably in the wrong part of the race – he made up about seven lengths four furlongs from home – and probably would have benefited from making that move a little later.

“He is very versatile – he seems suited by anything between a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, and he goes on pretty much any ground so he is handy in that respect,” he added.

Chris Thornton hopes the ever-consistent Lets Roll can gain a deserved success after running a host of honest races recently.

“He’s in very good form and he’s run as well this year as he’s run all his life,” he said.

“We’re hoping for a good run as he has a pretty respectable draw, though maybe he would have preferred a little more rain.

“I think he has collected prize money in something like 24 of his 30 races, which is very good really.

“His form has worked out quite well this year so hopefully he’ll put up a good show,” he added.

Other notable contenders in a typically competitive renewal are Ouninpohja, Thunder Rock and Richard Fahey’s Red Lancer, who hinted at a return to form when running well at Epsom last time.

Luca Cumani enjoyed success with Alkaased and Zeitgeist in the last two renewals of the race, and had hoped to land a spectacular hat-trick with Soulacroix.

Unfortunately, the Kylian gelding has been forced to miss the contest after sustaining a minor injury.

“He’s OK but he’s got a bruised foot,” said Cumani.

“It’s not serious long term but it just prevents him running tomorrow.”

Soulacroix’s absence leaves a final field of 16 for the valuable contest, although John Gosden’s Signatory will only run if the ground is suitable.