Gold run beckons for Barbers Shop

Nicky Henderson has given Barbers Shop the go-ahead to take his chance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The six-year-old is also engaged in the paddypower.Com Graduation Chase at Prestbury Park on Friday but the Seven Barrows handler is now favouring a crack at the weekend’s feature event.

Henderson will also be represented by Fleet Street, while Jack The Giant may also return to action in the Grade Three contest if conditions do not become too testing.

“Barbers Shop will run and Fleet Street will also run. I’m keen to run Jack The Giant as well, but it’s all about the ground with him,” said Henderson.

“He (Jack The Giant) wants really decent ground and I wouldn’t ever be afraid to run him on good to firm.

“He’s only ever been over two and a half miles once before – that was at Leicester – and this race will be run on potentially soft ground.

“Andrew Tinkler will ride Fleet Street and Barry Geraghty will be on one of the other two.”

Peter Bowen is also hoping conditions do not become too soft for his contender Yes Sir, who won a Listed event on fast ground at Wetherby last time.

“The plan is for Yes Sir to take his chance and I was really pleased with him at Wetherby,” said Bowen.

“That was his first win for a while and I think the handicapper has been very harsh in putting him up another 11lb for that.

“He wouldn’t want it too soft at Cheltenham as, ideally, he likes fast ground.

“It is difficult to weigh up his chances as we will just have to see what the weather does.”

Moon Over Miami is to sidestep the race in favour of an easier option on Sunday’s card.

Trainer Charlie Mann is favouring a tilt at the two-mile paddypower.com Handicap Chase.

“He’s going to run on Sunday in the two-mile handicap,” said the Upper Lambourn-based handler.

“It looks an easier race. He’s come on a lot for his recent run at Ascot.”

Connections of Mister McGoldrick will make a late call on whether to make the 11-year-old carry top weight in the big race.

Trainer Sue Smith will discuss the matter with owner Richard Longley ahead of Friday’s 48-hour final declaration stage.

Mister McGoldrick, a 25-1 chance with the sponsors, sprang a 66-1 surprise in the Racing Post Plate at the Festival meeting in March.

“I don’t know just at this minute in time,” said Smith.

“I’m not worried about the ground at all really.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to Mr Longley yet. I shall discuss it with him before making any firm decisions.

“The horse is in very good form.”