Weighty burden for Lunch

Jeremy Scott admits he is slightly frustrated that Gone To Lunch is forced to concede lumps of weight all round in the United House Gold Cup at Ascot tomorrow.

The nine-year-old ended last season in terrific form, going down by just half a length in the Scottish National and chasing home Rare Bob in a Grade One event at the Punchestown Festival.

Scott feels his charge is at the top of his game ahead of his reappearance and is hoping he shows enough to warrant a place in the line-up for next month’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

“He’s in good form and has schooled well this week, it’s just unfortunate he has to carry so much more weight than anything else,” said Scott.

“I suppose if he can’t carry the weight it will make his life easier in the Hennessy, but it is a bit frustrating that nothing else has declared anywhere near him in the weights.

“I think he’s fairly straight and certainly straighter than he was this time last year and tomorrow will tell us whether we go for the Hennessy or not.

“I’m not saying he’s better than last year but his work is certainly very good at the moment and I’m very pleased with the way he’s shaping up.”

David Pipe's Seven Is My Number comes into the race on the back of three successes in minor company and the trainer is keeping his fingers crossed his charge will prove up to this tougher task.

“He’s unbeaten over fences. He is stepping up in trip which if you watch his last couple of races you’d have thought that would suit,” said the Pond House handler.

“He’ll like the ground and he’s running in a handicap for the first time off a mark of 138 which is probably high enough but it looks a wide-open race.”

Evan Williams is represented by Mr Robert, who is without a victory over fences in over two years.

“The top weight came out so the weights went up. It made sense to go to Ascot for the valuable handicap rather than run him in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby,” said the Llancarfan handler.

“He is high enough in the ratings really, but he’s in good form, so we thought we’d run him down there.”