Gold Cup going a concern for Petra camp

Nicky Henderson is praying the rain stays away from Cheltenham so as not to dampen My Petra’s prospects in Saturday’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup.

The Seven Barrows trainer, twice successful in this race with Fondmort (2002) and Iris Royal (2003), is nevertheless still keen to give the in-form mare a crack at this valuable prize.

The five-year-old is seeking a hat-trick this winter after wins at Wetherby and Ascot.

“My concern would be that there is some rain forecast for Saturday morning,” said Henderson.

“But she’s going to be put away until the spring and unless the ground is very soft, there’s nothing to be lost by having a go.”

Imperial Commander attempts to be the fourth horse to complete the Paddy Power Gold Cup/Boylesports Gold Cup double after Pegwell Bay (1988), Senor El Betrutti (1997) and Exotic Dancer (2006).

The seven-year-old was an emphatic winner over the course last month and his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies goes there with high hopes.

Ferdy Murphy hopes the ground is not too soft or too dead for his runner Three Mirrors, who was an encouraging fifth to Imperial Commander in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

“He worked really well during the week and we’re very happy with him,” said the West Witton trainer.

“He ran well in the Paddy Power. He had a few problems down the back which forced him to having a good blow.

“Graham (Lee) then said he got his second wind and he ran on again. I think he’ll probably strip a bit fitter tomorrow.

“We wouldn’t want the ground to ride too dead or too soft. The livelier the ground the better chance he’ll have.”