Barry Geraghty is concerned soft ground could scupper Triolo D'Alene's chances of winning back-to-back Hennessy Gold Cups at Newbury.
None other than Arkle was the last horse to manage the feat, although Denman did win the race twice with a year's gap.
While Geraghty could not be happier with his mount going into the race, he feels the rain gods may have conspired against him.
"It's not so much the 10lb rise that would concern me, it is more the ground because last year it was good but it is sure to ride slower and that's not ideal," Geraghty said in his At The Races blog.
"The trip and the track aren't a bother and Nicky Henderson has the horse buzzing. He went to Kempton last week for a sharpener and could not have been in better shape.
"I'm sure he'll give a very good account and his form in France before he came to Seven Barrows was more than respectable on soft. But this is a mighty competitive race where you need all your ducks in a row.
"Most of them are, it's just the ground that's a concern, although I was pleased to see that 'good to soft in places' was added to the chase course going on Friday."
Ruby Walsh thinks Djakadam has a "favourite's chance" of creating history by becoming the first five-year-old to win the race. Despite having only completed over fences three times last season, the Willie Mullins-trained French import has been backed as if defeat is out of the question in the past few weeks.
"We're hoping that Djakadam is well handicapped but he hasn't done anything to deserve a higher mark than 142," Walsh told his Paddy Power blog.
"It's a catch-22 situation. If he had the experience he wouldn't have the mark he's on now. I'm hopeful he has the class to overcome that.
"He has always shaped like a three-miler and is in good form at home. It's a big ask for Djakadam - but I think he has a favourite's chance. Others can decide the price."
Dangers abound, including Fingal Bay. Philip Hobbs' charge looked like being a star novice chaser but dramatically ran out at Exeter in December 2012.
When he returned last season it was over hurdles, culminating in Pertemps Final success at the Cheltenham Festival.
"He's in really good form. Whatever the ground is like won't matter to him, but if it is softer it might just slow some of the others down," said Hobbs.
"He's in very good shape and we're looking forward to the race. I had been thinking about getting a run into him but the ground meant that I couldn't and then it got too close.
"As it turns out, I think it's a bonus we haven't run him as he's won first time out for the past four seasons, so not having had a run won't be an issue."
For many years, people have trumpeted the chances of second-season chasers in the Hennessy, and the best qualifier on that system is Alan King's Smad Place, just touched off in the RSA Chase in March.
King, who had a treble at the Berkshire track on Thursday, said: "We've been very happy with him at home, but I just felt a day out last week would benefit him to give him a change of scenery and get the adrenaline back up.
"He hasn't been on a racecourse since March, so it was important to give him an away day. His form suggests he has a big chance - the bookmakers say so - so I'd hope he has a big chance.
"This has been his target since the end of last season and if he runs very well or improves a bit then you hope he might be a Gold Cup horse, but he has a fair way to go yet."
Many Clouds also ran in the RSA Chase, but was brought down, and won impressively on his comeback at Carlisle.
Trainer Oliver Sherwood told At The Races: "He's in great order, I haven't missed a day with him since Carlisle. He's the right horse to go there with. The ground will be right, whether he's good enough is the only question."
Paul Nicholls saddles last year's runner-up Rocky Creek, a good second to Road To Riches on his return at Down Royal, and Unioniste.
The Ditcheat handler said of Rocky Creek: "I was happy with Down Royal. If this lad has improved as much from Down Royal as Silviniaco Conti did after Wetherby then we have a great chance. Last year in the race was his first run out of novice company and he looked the winner everywhere bar the last and just got run out of it on the run-in.
"He hadn't had a run so I just think that could make the difference."
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Jonjo O'Neill's unbeaten More Of That will face six rivals as he makes his eagerly anticipated return to action in the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.
Having started last season at a lowly level, he progressed through the ranks to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Ferstival.
He was overlooked at Cheltenham by Tony McCoy in favour of At Fishers Cross, but that is unlikely to be the case ever again, with McCoy taking longer to return from his recent injury than would normally be the case specifically so that he would not miss the ride on More Of That at the Berkshire circuit.
McCoy said: "He was obviously a very smart horse last season.
"He's very well. I rode him at Chepstow (in a racecourse gallop) and just gave him a canter round. He's also been to Newbury a couple of weeks ago, so, all being well, we're very much looking forward to him."
His sternest test is likely to come from Warren Greatrex's Cole Harden, who had At Fishers Cross a long way back in third in the West Yorkshire Hurdle.
Greatrex has been thrilled with Cole Harden since his Wetherby win but is aware this represents a sterner test.
"He's in great form," said the red-hot handler.
"I think he's improved since Wetherby, his work certainly has. He won't mind the ground or the track or the trip. I'm aware he has to step up, but he's an improving horse."
The second at Wetherby, the Alan King-trained Medinas, also lines up and his handler t old
www.alankingracing.co,uk: "Medinas made a pleasing comeback to finish second in the Grade Two at Wetherby, and, though he faces a stiff task against More Of That, he is not that big so these conditions races are preferable to humping huge weights in handicaps."
Paul Nicholls is represented by Lac Fontana, no match for Faugheen last week, while Emma Lavelle runs Shotgun Paddy en route to the Welsh National.
Dan Downie, racing manager for Shotgun Paddy's owners Axom, said: "The Welsh National is his priority in this half of the season but there's some nice prize-money on offer. He's fit and well and the ground should suit him perfectly.
"Emma's really happy with him and he always runs well first time out.
"We're under no illusions. We're hoping this will put him right for Chepstow but I can see him running on when plenty have had enough and he could pick up the pieces. He always tries his heart out and I can see him running well."
American Spin and Peckhamecho complete the field.
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Connections of Irving are hoping he gets his career back on track in the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.
A smart performer on the level in Germany, he quickly emerged as one of last season's best novices , but Paul Nicholls' charge disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival and took a heavy fall upon his return to action at Wincanton in the Elite Hurdle.
Dan Downie, racing manager for Irving's owners Axom, admits there has to be a slight doubt about how he will perform.
"This looks a good opportunity for him but we just hope he jumps round and then hopefully he'll be good enough," said Downie.
"It's always a worry after a fall like that but he was only winded, there was no physical damage.
"He's in good form and we are hopeful. We were looking at the Gerry Feilden but looking at the ground at Newbury we're glad we chose this instead.
"The flat track should suit and I'm nervously looking forward to it. Should he go and run well, then the obvious target would be the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton."
Nick Scholfield struck up a good relationship with Irving last season and is reunited after missing the Wincanton race. The jockey still has hopes of the six-year-old developing into a Champion Hurdle contender.
"We had a good bit of success last year. I've been in to jump him and he showed no ill effects from his fall at Wincanton so hopefully he'll go there full of confidence," Scholfield told At The Races.
"Cheltenham was very disappointing - we fancied him but he was very flat. We knew that wasn't his true form, though, so, in a way, that was the positive we took out of it.
"He's taking on some good horses and hopefully he can show how good he is. He hasn't shown he's not a Champion Hurdle horse. Paul's done plenty of work on his jumping to get him slicker and if any man can do that he will.
"I thought he was coming to win at Wincanton, it looked like he took a blow and got a second wind. He's sure to improve. He needs to step up again but I'm sure he can."
John Quinn was second in the race last year as Cockney Sparrow chased home My Tent Or Yours. This weekend he is represented by another mare, Aurore D'Estruval, a late withdrawal at Haydock last weekend where she was due to take on The New One.
"We were happy with her going into last week and we're just as happy again," said the North Yorkshire handler, who won the race in 2012 with Countrywide Flame.
"There's black type on offer this weekend and as a mare you have to take that into account. This is a Grade One and looks a good opportunity. Cockney Sparrow was second in this last year but she's Flat-bred and a bit of a more speedier type, I think. This one is National Hunt type.
"Hopefully the ground should be no issue. It's a great race and we like supporting it. On ratings, she faces an easier task than she would have done last week and I'm hopeful that she'll run well. She's in good fettle, anyway."
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Anthony Honeyball feels the At The Races Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday could be the perfect stepping stone for Victors Serenade ahead of the Coral Welsh National.
The Dorset trainer reports his nine-year-old ready to go to war again following last month's victory at Chepstow, and believes the four weeks between the two races is ideal.
Victors Serenade was having only his third run in two years when he won a 15-runner three-mile handicap chase by two lengths from former Welsh National hero Monbeg Dude.
"We were really pleased with him at Chepstow. Having had a couple of dodgy seasons with a problem with a hind leg and then a virus, it was good to get him back on track," said Honeyball.
"He seems to have built on that. At home he seems really well and strong and is working tremendous, so we're very hopeful of a big run from him.
"Obviously we want to win on Saturday, but if he stays on nicely and gets done for a bit of toe or something, it's not the end of the world.
"We can just build on that and it's perfect timing for the Welsh National. The best and worst that can happen is if he gets a 4lb penalty for winning the Rehearsal Chase.
"He's really well so we're happy to give him a chance at a nice prize at Newcastle. The Welsh National is the next target, but we're very much geared up for Newcastle."
Mark Walford is hoping conditions will not be too soft for Fentara, who has to defy a career-high mark. The nine-year-old mare was an encouraging third of six at Kelso three weeks ago on her first start for five months.
"She's come out of the Kelso race really well. She's in very good form at home," said the North Yorkshire handler.
"She wouldn't want the ground too soft, just on the soft side of good would be ideal for her.
"She has plenty of weight. She's running off 139 and has never won off that sort of mark. The highest she has run off before is 130. She's very well and if we can sneak a place we'd be delighted."
Lucinda Russell was thrilled with Lie Forrit's victory on his seasonal reappearance at Aintree, having previously been pulled up in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April.
"I was delighted with his comeback at Aintree and this is a valuable race," she said.
"He's a horse that doesn't take a lot of racing so we have to plan our races accordingly. He's fine on soft ground, he has a light weight and I'm looking forward to it."
A field of nine is headed by last year's winner Hey Big Spender. Colin Tizzard's charge was third to Lie Forrit at Aintree on his first run of the campaign. Sue Smith's Vintage Star, just a neck behind Hey Big Spender last year, also takes his chance.
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Coneygree made a winning return from a 671-day absence in Newbury's Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase.
Controversially denied a run at Plumpton last week when the racecourse vet deemed him unfit to race, a decision which riled connections, he was forced to start his new career in Grade Two company.
That was also the same for Saphir Du Rheu, who Nicholls feels will be a leading novice, but he made a bad blunder and unshipped Twiston-Davies early on. Coneygree (2-1), a half-brother to Hennessy winner Carruthers, jumped like an old hand and held off Dell' Arca by a length and a half.
Sarah Bradstock, wife of trainer Mark, said: "He is a very tricky character and he was ready to run at Plumpton. When the people there said it doesn't matter, we were angry because he was ready.
"This was the only suitable race for him, other than something like Bangor.
"Nico (De Boinville) said he just knows where his feet are, and I think he is very good.
"It's a little bit of an eternal frustration that we buy these cheap horses and beat the big guys and still only have 12 horses."
Asked about immediate plans, Mark Bradstock suggested the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day as a possibility. Paddy Power introduced the winner at 20-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.
A date at Cheltenham could beckon for bet365 Open Handicap Chase winner No Buts.
David Bridgwater's runner hit the front approaching four fences from home and eventually proved eight lengths too powerful for Sound Investment, with Lamool another two and a quarter lengths back for minor honours.
The 6-1 winner was the second leg of a double for jockey Tom Scudamore after an early strike on Tullyesker Hill.
Bridgwater said: "We thought about the Paddy Power Gold Cup for him but the timing was wrong as he ran the week before at Sandown and this race looked all right.
"This is a good horse - he stays and jumps very accurately. We'll have to consider the December (Caspian Caviar) Gold Cup at Cheltenham for him now."
Talk of Nicky Henderson's horses being out of form appears to have been incorrect after the local trainer secured a double in the Inkerman London Novices' Hurdle with Out Sam (3-1) and Different Gravey (5-1) in the concluding bet365 "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle, both in the grey colours of Richard Kelvin-Hughes.
Barry Geraghty rode the former to beat Thomas Brown by three lengths, and said: "Out Sam was pretty immature and innocent, but is a lovely horse."
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Old Guard, successful on the Flat for Roger Charlton, made a winning start over jumps at Newbury for trainer Paul Nicholls.
The 6-1 chance claimed the Q Associates Juvenile Hurdle by a neck under Sam Twiston-Davies, who rousted him along to hit the front at the last to deny 5-6 favourite Karezak.
The Ditcheat handler said: "I nearly pulled him out last night as he had only run on good ground on the Flat, but you don't know until they try it. He jumped with Irving over eight hurdles and is the best three-year-old I've run so far, but I've only run two others."
Paddy Power introduced the winner at 33-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The yellow and black colours of owner Terry Warner, carried by Champion Hurdle hero Rooster Booster, graced the winner's enclosure after Nicholls secured a quickfire double courtesy of Wilton Milan in the bet365 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.
The 3-1 shot, ridden by Jack Sherwood, looked to be in trouble when joined by 11-4 favourite Quick Decisson at the second-last, but a mistake by the latter, who stayed on for second, gave Wilton Milan renewed impetus and he went on to score by 13 lengths.
"It wasn't ideal ground. "That's why we went back in trip. It was a boys' race and I thought they might go a good gallop and come back and it went ideal," said Nicholls.
"He might run again at Sandown next Friday without a penalty."
The combination of trainer David Pipe and owner Bryan Drew is becoming a bit of a standing dish here as the pair scored for the second time in two days with Tullyesker Hill in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, having triumphed on Thursday with Vazaro Delafayette.
The winner, returned at 10-1, made every yard of the extended three miles under Tom Scudamore to outpoint Junction Fourteen by four and a half lengths, with Little Boy Boru a neck back in third.
Pipe said: "Maybe Unique De Cotte (4-5 favourite) bounced. All this fellow does is gallop and stay and he loves a big galloping track. The blinkers helped him and hopefully he'll be a long-distance chaser one day."
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Smart prospect Un Ace seems unlikely to head for the Arkle despite winning for the second time over fences in the Eden Farm Novices' Chase at Doncaster.
Kim Bailey's six-year-old spreadeagled his field, jumping with aplomb in the final mile, suggesting a Cheltenham event would not be out of the question and getting a 20-1 quote from 25-1 by Betfred for the two-mile championship.
Having finished strongly in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, Bailey feels he could now do with a step up in trip after David Bass guided him to a 29-length win.
"It's never nice being odds-on favourite, we had one get beat yesterday," Bailey told At The Races.
"We've equalled last year's total already this season, which is nice.
"I think the Arkle is probably the one race he won't go to, he wants two and a half miles but he wants far better ground. We came here because of the ground and yesterday morning we were hoping Jason (Maguire) was going to ride, but then he had to go to Musselburgh but David has schooled him loads of times.
"That was two-three today. They go a million miles an hour over two miles, but I purposefully haven't run him over two and a half as I want to get him relaxed, he can be quite free. He's a very good jumper and we needed the experience.
"He ran a brilliant race at Cheltenham last year (eighth to Vautour), I should have run him in the Neptune, that is probably why I think the Arkle is out of it, it's a nice situation for everybody."
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Zaidpour will take on super-sub duties in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday after Annie Power was ruled out through lameness.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare, who only lost her unbeaten record when second to More Of That in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, had been declared for the Grade One on Friday morning but was subsequently found to be lame.
Jockey Ruby Walsh will instead ride stablemate Zaidpour, also owned by Rich Ricci.
Mullins' son and assistant Patrick said: "These things happen unfortunately. I don't think it's serious, we hope not anyway.
"Zaidpour is a good substitute to have in any case. He's won the race before and has won the Royal Bond at this meeting so he obviously goes well at the track and at this time of year."
In Annie Power's absence, Jessica Harrington's Jetson would appear to have leading claims. He was last seen shocking Quevega at Punchestown, after which the star mare was retired.
While Harrington fears the nine-year-old now saves his best for the spring, this has always been his target.
"It's exciting to have him back in action," she said.
"He caused a bit of a shock by beating Quevega and whether she was quite at her best that day, who knows?
"He's in good form and is ready to run. He has very limited opportunities now as he's out of handicaps and he'd have to carry a Grade One penalty in other races.
"We'll have to pick and choose his races carefully, but I just think he's a spring horse anyway - he always comes to himself at that time of year.
"After this he'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas for the three-miler, but it's all about the festivals with him.
"He's run well at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown for the last few years."
Prolific mare Little King Robin takes her chance after a fine third to two-mile kings Hurricane Fly and Jezki in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, with the field completed by Lieutenant Colonel and King Of The Picts.
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Owner Barry Connell has high hopes for The Tullow Tank in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The six-year-old, trained by Sandra Hughes, was a talented hurdler last season and created a good impression over the bigger obstacles when winning on this course four weeks ago.
"We're very happy with him. It's been his target ever since he came back from grass this summer. Everything's gone according to plan," said Connell.
"He had a nice prep run in Fairyhouse and beat a highly-rated horse in Mala Beach.
"He worked well this week so everything's in order and we're expecting a big run.
"It's a Grade One, so you'd expect it to be a strong race. There are a couple of other horses with good credentials, but I think we are probably the best of the horses with hurdle form from last year.
"He seems to be equally effective over jumps. We're happy with him and expecting a good performance."
Patrick Mullins is looking forward to a Grade One ride over fences when he partners Perfect Gentleman, one of three runners from his father Willie's stable.
"I've ridden in a few Grade One hurdles on Cousin Vinny but this will be my first over fences," said the amateur rider.
"I think he's improved for the switch to fences, but whether he is up to this class we'll see. Hopefully he can get some prize money. I'm looking forward to it."
Valseur Lido enjoyed an easy victory on his fencing bow at Punchestown two weeks ago and is the choice of jockey Bryan Cooper from four runners for Gigginstown House Stud.
"He's sort of sneaked under the radar a little bit, probably because he had one bad run at Cheltenham, but we're prepared to forgive him that," said Mullins junior.
"Other than that he's only been beaten by Faugheen and I know that Bryan (Cooper) was really excited by his jumping the last time. I think we've all got The Tullow Tank to beat, though."
Mullins' stable jockey Ruby Walsh is aboard Alechi Inois, who notched a five-timer over fences from May to October before being pulled up on his latest start at Punchestown two weeks ago after making a bad mistake.
"It's all about good ground for him. It's been dry over here for the past couple of days, though, so I don't think the ground is soft which should help," said Mullins junior.
"Whether he's a Grade One horse we have our doubts, but he deserves to take his chance."
Mouse Morris has a trio of hopefuls in Band Of Blood, Real Steel and Allied Victory, while Noel Meade runs Apache Stronghold, a classy novice hurdler last term and successful on his chasing bow at Down Royal a month ago.
The remainder in a strong field are Aerlite Supreme, Blacklough, Cause Of Causes, Followmeuptocarlow and Sadler's Risk.
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Ryan Moore attempts to put the gloss on a superb year when he tries to guide Gentildonna to a third consecutive victory in the Japan Cup.
Moore was at the helm 12 months ago when the Sei Ishizaka-trained mare claimed the Grade One over a mile and a half by a nose.
The partnership will renew acquaintances at the Tokyo circuit on Sunday, with Ishizaka in high spirits in what could be Gentildonna's swansong.
The trainer said: "Ryan Moore rode her for fast work on November 19 and she moved as she always does.
"Moore said he thought she felt good and better than last year.
"Moore has ridden the world over and has the results to show for it, but he's a man of few words - no doubt because he's concentrating on the racing. He has a very good grasp of Gentildonna.
"This will either be her last race or she'll have one more, but, in either case, the plan is to retire her at the end of this year.
"She has always got good results at Tokyo and I'm expecting her to do well this time, too. It's a strong line-up so I'm looking forward to seeing how good she'll do."
Irish interests are spiked by the presence of Trading Leather, trained in County Carlow by Jim Bolger. The Godolphin-owned four-year-old won the 2013 Irish Derby and has continually held his own in good company.
Regular jockey Kevin Manning believes the Japan Cup should ideally suit the son of Teofilo.
He said: "He's a very straightforward horse and he gets the trip well. He's a pretty straightforward horse, as far as I'm concerned.
"He didn't get his ideal ground probably in any run that he's had this year. He's really a good quick-ground horse and he just didn't really have the conditions that suit him all season.
"I think he's at his peak. He's been putting up very high-class performances with some very, very top-class horses. He's in top form and he feels very good."
German hope Ivanhowe claimed the scalp of Sea The Moon at Baden-Baden in September but struggled in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe a month later.
He did, however, return to his best at the highest level at Munich on November 1 when he won the Grosser Preis von Bayern by two and a half lengths.
Trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho said: "Although he is a horse that has a lot of speed, it takes time for him to pick up. He prefers to sit in the back before demonstrating a good turn of foot.
"This horse performs better on softer going, so it would be ideal if it rains on Sunday. I think he's suited well to this distance."