'He has been the making of him' - will Sheehan be fit to ride Simply The Betts?

Gavin Sheehan faces a crucial check-up with his doctor on Monday that will determine whether he is able to ride big Paddy Power Gold Cup fancy Simply The Betts.

Sheehan has been the making of the Cheltenham Festival-winning chaser, who is 6-1 second favourite with the sponsor, according to trainer Harry Whittington.

However, the jockey has been sidelined with a broken wrist since a fall at Perth in September and needs to get the all-clear to resume riding out if he is to take part in Saturday's Cheltenham showpiece.

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Sheehan has been working hard on rehabilitation at Oaksey House in Lambourn and hopes his wrist will get the all-clear when he sees the doctor in Southampton.

"It feels strong and I feel like I could sit on a horse now," he said on Sunday. "I hope the doctor will say it's grand then I'll get on a horse on Tuesday and crack on. Then I hope I could be back riding on Friday or possibly earlier.

"It would have been nice to be back for this weekend and I missed out on some nice winners yesterday but that was probably never going to happen. I've been working really hard, doing as much as I can my end."

Harry Whittington hopes that Simply The Betts will give him more reason to celebrateCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sheehan believes Simply The Betts has a "really good chance" on Saturday, returned to the course where he made it four wins from five starts over fences by landing the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase last March.

His return would delight Whittington, who said: "Gavin has been the making of this horse and it would be great to get him back on board.

"He's created such a good bond with him, and with Saint Calvados and Rouge Vif through the last couple of years."

Simply The Betts will be having his first race since giving the trainer his first Cheltenham Festival success and Whittington said: "I'm really looking forward to running him, he's in fantastic shape.

"It's a step up from the Brown Advisory but there's no Grade 1 horse stepping back into a handicap. All the horses at the head of the market are novices from last season, which makes it really exciting as they were a good bunch.

"They're having to step up and Simply The Betts is battle-hardened really, he's earned his way through handicaps and he's full of confidence. He's in really good form and he's improved physically again and in his work."

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Simply The Betts is 6-1 without even having jumped a fence in anger this season, but you can see why after his last two runs at Cheltenham when he beat Imperial Aura, who was one-time favourite for this race, and last year's winner Happy Diva."

Racing Post premium members can read all about Harry Whittington's string in his exclusive stable tour

Paddy Power Gold Cup: Paddy Power betting: 5 Saint Sonnet, 6 Simply The Betts, 10 Cepage, 11 Al Dancer, Good Boy Bobby, 12 Mister Fisher, 14 bar

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