'We targeted the Paddy Power Gold Cup for a year - it's frustrating not to run'

Ben Pauling’s long-term plan to target Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup with Shakem Up'Arry had to be shelved due to the continued lack of rain in the lead-up to the November meeting at Cheltenham.

Pauling had targeted the £160,000 race for upwards of a year for the Harry Redknapp-owned chaser, who finished third in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree when last in action in April.

Despite 25mm of rainfall between Saturday and Tuesday, the going was described as good to soft at declaration time on Thursday morning and connections have no doubt Shakem Up'Arry requires soft ground to be at his best.

The eight-year-old is entered in the Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday week and is a best price 10-1 with bet365. Once again, rain will be needed for him to participate.

Pauling said: "The Paddy Power Gold Cup had been our intention for over a year, so it's frustrating we won't be running but there's not much you can do about it.

"Soft ground is key to him and we're just not getting his conditions. We need more rain at some point and he could head to Ascot if it arrives in time."

Ben Pauling: trainer of Shakem Up'ArryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bangor is the only track in Britain so far this week to have heavy feature in the chase going description, and that was where Lord Du Mesnil bounced right back to form when second to Le Milos off top weight in the 3m handicap chase.

His trainer Richard Hobson was delighted with the run and is formulating plans for the staying chaser and Riders Onthe Storm, who landed the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month.

Hobson said: "Lord Du Mesnil ran a big race and I was chuffed with him. A wet winter would suit him well and we'll look to head back to Haydock, where he goes well. We'll try to avoid the top-level horses in the Peter Marsh and maybe go for the Tommy Whittle, which he won in 2019.

"Riders Onthe Storm is fresh and well and we're going to space his races out as it suits him best. It's taken a while to get his confidence back but Aintree was a big step in the right direction and the Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day could be an option for him."

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