We have enough Gold Cup trials - the top trainers just choose to ignore them

Between now and the Cheltenham Festival there are two recognised trials in Britain for the Gold Cup. There are, of course, many other potential trials for the sport's most prestigious prize. The problem and sadness is nobody seems to recognise them.

Nicky Henderson must be sick to the back teeth of being referenced in columns like this one, but unfortunately he neatly summed up the status quo when last week speaking about Gold Cup aspirant Champ.

"You've only got the Cotswold or the Denman and you can't run in both," said Henderson. Running in both would be excessive, but there are certainly plenty more options than the Cheltenham and Newbury Grade 2 features – it's simply that Henderson and others in his profession now largely choose not to use handicaps for top staying chasers.