Ruby relishing Denman return
Ruby Walsh is excited about the prospect of teaming up with Denman in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup, despite the fact he is forced to carry top weight.
Paul Nicholls' chaser landed the race in 2007 off a handicap mark of 161 but having subsequently won the Cheltenham Gold Cup he is forced to race off 174 this weekend.
Walsh believes such a task would be way beyond the other horses in the race and, after a recent racecourse gallop at Exeter, the nine-year-old will put up a bold performance.
"I can't wait to ride him," said Walsh.
"He's got a huge weight and a huge task in front of him on Saturday but I can't see too many other horses being up to it really.
"Obviously he's a lot higher in the ratings now - he's nearly a stone higher than the last time he won the Hennessy.
"He's a big, strapping horse and hopefully he'll put in a good performance.
"When he worked at Exeter he was typical Denman, he wasn't going anywhere for the first mile but when we turned for home he took off.
"It was just a day out and he did what we asked off him," the jockey told At The Races.
Roll Along and Ballyfitz are set to represent Nigel Twiston-Davies as the Naunton trainer attempts to win this prestigious staying handicap chase for a second time after King's Road in 2000.
Ballyfitz, the mount of Paddy Brennan, shaped well on his seasonal debut when fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Noel Fehily will partner Roll Along, who disappointed at Carlisle on his reappearance earlier this month.
"Both are intended runners," said Twiston-Davies' assistant Carl Llewellyn.
"In the Paddy Power, Ballyfitz was flat out under pressure from a long way out and stayed on to finish fourth. He ran a hell of a race.
"With Roll Along nothing really came to light, but it was gluey ground.
"He reached for a few fences early on and maybe he got a bit disillusioned when he got stuck in the ground.
"He worked very well last Friday and has schooled well since. We are very happy with him."
Evan Williams saddles another former winner in 2006 hero State Of Play, but admits his other runner, Cappa Bleu, is his main hope.
Having won the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham in March, Cappa Bleu only has to shoulder 10st on Saturday.
"The plan of attack is that both horses will run in the Hennessy," said Williams.
"Paul (Moloney, stable jockey) is just being loyal to State Of Play, after all he's done for us it would have been very hard for him to get off him.
"We've booked Jamie (Moore) for the big horse (Cappa Bleu) but he hasn't sat on him yet. He's very straightforward, though.
"People keep asking me to split them and while my heart will always be with State Of Play, in a race like the Hennessy you need an up-and-coming horse.
"Cappa Bleu is that - he could be anything."
