Power not worried about trip with Our Duke ready to thrill

A 14-length demolition of the Irish Grand National field in April appeared to confirm Our Duke's stamina in emphatic fashion, but Robbie Power feels the leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender is getting faster with age.

The hugely exciting seven-year-old will make his eagerly awaited return in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, and his big-race rider expects the drop to three miles to prove no problem. Far from it, in fact.

"I actually think that as he's getting older he's becoming quicker," Power said of Our Duke, who is a general 8-1 shot to dethrone his Jessica Harrington-trained stablemate Sizing John in the Timico-backed Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

"His work at home would suggest that as well, and if at some point he were to step back to two and a half miles, I wouldn't be worried.

"He has an unbelievably high cruising speed and two and a half or three miles wouldn't be any problem to him."

Last year's winner Valseur Lido is one of six Gigginstown-owned contenders among 11 remaining entries after forfeits on Tuesday, although Road To Respect, Disko and Alpha Des Obeaux are also entered for the Grade 2 Chase on the same card.

Coneygree likely for Wetherby

Coneygree remains a possible but is expected to tackle the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

"We entered at Down Royal when we didn't know what the ground would be at Wetherby," said assistant trainer Sara Bradstock. "But they're saying that even though there's no rain forecast at Wetherby it's unlikely to get any quicker than good to soft.

"We'll probably get somebody to walk the course for us, but so long as it's on the soft side Coneygree will be going to Wetherby."

Regardless of the opposition, Power sounds confident of Our Duke's chances of justifying Paddy Power's quote of 4-5 and added: "He's been back in a good while and is in great form.

"Everything's gone perfectly well with his preparation and he's had a racecourse gallop.

"He's as fit as we can have him without getting a run under his belt and we're all looking forward to Saturday."

Improvement needed

Our Duke is rated just 1lb below Betfair Chase-bound Sizing John, whom Power steered to Gold Cup glory this year.

Of the gap to be bridged from novice company, the rider added: "Our Duke has loads of potential but he's got to step up from being a top-class novice to a Gold Cup contender now."

Mike Todd, Down Royal general manager, said: "Entries are superb for both Friday and Saturday, with the JNwine.com Champion Chase looking to be a serious race.

He added: "This is our one opportunity of the year to stick our head above the parapet and we're expecting a huge crowd. Every hospitality section is sold out, advance ticket sales are amazing, and we're really looking forward to two great days of racing."

Going update

Todd added: "I walked the ground the morning and it's soft. It's supposed to be dry from now until the race, although we've had showers today that weren't expected.

"Normally a challenge can be that it's a bit quicker than we'd like it at this time of the year, but that's certainly not a worry this time."