Weight worry for Knowhere

Nigel Twiston-Davies admits Knowhere faces a difficult task when he lines up under a welter burden in the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday.

The 10-year-old was fifth behind Denman in the Newbury feature 12 months ago and went on to win the Letheby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham in fantastic style later in the campaign.

He ran out a game winner of the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his reappearance but a 14lb hike in the weights means he will have to carry joint top-weight of 11st 12lb at the weekend.

“Knowhere is on course to run at the weekend and everything has gone well since Aintree,” said Twiston-Davies.

“He has been in great form since then and people might say he is in and out, but I haven’t noticed much out to be honest.

“It was soft ground at Aintree when he won last time so if it’s testing at Newbury there will be no problems on the score, the only worry would have to be the weight.”

Ferdy Murphy is hoping the ground does not become too testing for his representative New Alco, who is set to have his first run of the campaign in the Grade Three contest.

The seven-year-old was pulled up in the race 12 months ago but Murphy feels he is at his best when fresh and is hopeful he will give a good account of himself.

“New Alco worked this morning and everything went very well so he is on target to run at the weekend,” said Murphy.

“We have a lot of entries this weekend so we are just sorting out with jockeys agents who will be riding where and that will be finalised later in the week.

“New Alco obviously disappointed in the Hennessy last year but he had won at Carlisle the time before and he seems to go best fresh so hopefully that will help him.

“He has a good action and wants good ground really so I wouldn’t want it to get much deeper.

“Hopefully the weather will stay dry and the forecast for down south is good so hopefully that will hold.”