Lavelle hoping Cotswold run can show De Rasher Counter is Gold Cup material

Emma Lavelle is plotting a course to the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup for De Rasher Counter whose performance in this month's Cotswold Chase will tell her how big to dream.

The presence of the Ladbrokes Trophy winner among 31 entries for the Gold Cup on March 13 may have surprised some observers, but his trainer felt compelled to put him in the race.

"Is it realistic?" Lavelle said on Wednesday. "The Cotswold Chase will tell us. He's rated 160 now after winning a race which has a rich history of producing Gold Cup horses.

Lavelle and Jones joy as De Rasher Counter brings home Ladbrokes Trophy bacon

"That rating forces us into this type of race. Is he a top-class handicapper or a step better than that? Hopefully we'll find out on January 25 in the Cotswold Chase."

3 Of the last 12 Ladbrokes Trophy winners have gone on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Denman, Bobs Worth, Native River)

Lavelle, who enjoyed festival success with the imperious staying hurdler Paisley Park last March, added: "It was exciting just to make the entry for the Gold Cup! If he won or ran very well in the Cotswold Chase we would have every right to take the Gold Cup seriously.

"He'll also get a Grand National entry, but I wonder whether it might be a year too soon for Aintree."

Denman, Bobs Worth and Native River are all recent Ladbrokes Trophy winners who went on to land the big race at Cheltenham.

De Rasher Counter is generally a 50-1 shot for the Gold Cup.

Cyrname, runner-up in the King George on Boxing Day, was not among the entries for the Gold Cup, his trainer Paul Nicholls relying on dual King George Chase hero Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon.

Harry Derham, assistant to the champion trainer, said: "Cyrname's objective is the Ascot Chase next month, a race he won last year. We'll try and prime him for that.

"He will have entries in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham."

Al Boum Photo, winner of the Gold Cup last year, is among 16 entries from Ireland for the big race on March 13. His trainer Willie Mullins is four-handed and so is his great rival Gordon Elliott.

Two other winners of the race, Sizing John and Native River, are also entered.

The 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup

31 number of entries
16 Irish-trained horses entered
4 entries apiece from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott
3 former Gold Cup winners (Al Boum Photo, Native River and Sizing John)
10 age of oldest horses entered (Native River and Sizing John)

Best Mate, three-time winner in 2002, 2003 and 2004, is the most recent Gold Cup winner to successfully defend his crown, but Al Boum Photo looked in great shape when landing a Tramore Grade 3 on his seasonal reappearance this month.

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