'Don't question my fitness' - Lizzie Kelly raring to go on BetVictor return

2.25 Cheltenham
BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase | 2m4f | Grade 3 | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

When we last saw Siruh Du Lac on a racecourse he was sealing a flawless season by winning at the Cheltenham Festival under Lizzie Kelly.

When we last saw Kelly on a racecourse she was leaving Exeter with a broken arm. That was only 37 days ago but she is full of confidence in herself and her horse as she seeks to return from injury with a huge triumph.

Kelly will be having her first ride since suffering that fracture when partnering Siruh Du Lac in the BetVictor Gold Cup, a race that has had plenty of names over the years but has consistently maintained its status as one of jumping's most coveted handicaps.

Indeed, the £160,000 purse makes this far more valuable than the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate in which the Nick Williams-trained Siruh Du Lac made all for his fourth success of the 2018-19 campaign. He now runs off a 9lb higher mark and carries a jockey who is perfectly happy to be making her comeback in the season's biggest race so far.

Lizzie Kelly: riding for the first time since breaking her arm at ExeterCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's absolutely not a factor and I'm not worried," said Kelly.

"Some will question my fitness but I was in the gym three days after surgery. Mum actually asked me if I wanted a ride before the big race but I didn't. For a start the guys at Oaksey House do such a good job, the other thing is I've worked so hard to come back to ride this horse that I would have felt a right idiot if I ended up on the deck in an earlier race and got injured."

Assessing her mount's claims, Kelly added: "We normally chuck them in at the deep end but we tipped away until he won at Cheltenham in January. The fact he quickened turning for home in the Plate was really impressive. He had never felt better than that day.

"He's a very brave horse with a huge amount of class. This has always been the plan and the team at home say he is really well."

Tizzard: Slate will never have a better chance

Had Slate House not won at Cheltenham last month he would have 12lb less to carry in the BetVictor Gold Cup – yet without the evidence of that dazzling victory the Colin Tizzard-trained chaser would not be vying to start favourite for one of the season's top handicaps.

On Slate House's penultimate visit to Cheltenham he finished a 44-length eighth when 66-1 for the Racing Post Arkle. Fast forward seven months, and running for the first time after a wind operation, he cruised through heavy ground when winning a novice chase over the BetVictor course and distance by a wide margin.

Slate House barely came off the bridle to win at Cheltenham last monthCredit: GROSSICK RACING (racingpost.com/photos)

The victory caused his BHA rating to rise from 135 to 147 – and with the weights rising following the defection of Saint Calvados he must now shoulder 11st 7lb – but Tizzard believes Slate House will never have a clearer opportunity to land a huge prize.

"We're going to see how good he is but this is the best chance he's going to get in his life," said Tizzard.

"The wind op has helped him but I also think he is just in better form this season. The ground will be very similar to last time, when it definitely looked like he loved it, and almost without exception our horses have improved for their first run. It looks as though he has as well.

"He romped home last month and we can't argue about the 12lb rise. I don't think the weight will stop him as he is a big, strong horse. This is going to be completely different, though. It's an ultra-competitive handicap on heavy ground that will be run at a flat-out gallop."

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Us And Them
He's in good form and should have no problem with the ground. He was a very good novice last season and hopefully has every chance.

Us And Them is the only Irish raider in the BetVictor Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann

Dan Skelton, trainer of Spiritofthegames
I know he will go well – it's just a question of how well. I would rather he had less weight, but he deserves what's he's got and he has a massive pull in the weights with Siruh Du Lac. He had always hung a little, which we thought might be due to a bit of a wind issue. I certainly don't think the wind op he received will have done him any harm and we also know he goes on the ground.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Magic Saint and Brelan D’As
Magic Saint underperformed a little bit last season, albeit he won a nice race at Wincanton. We’ve given him a wind operation and had him in from scratch this time around and he’s a year older and stronger. If he gets the trip I think he’ll run quite well. Brelan D’As is well capable of running okay. He’s got form over two miles to two miles six so the trip should be no problem at all. I think we see him as a lively outsider.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Belami Des Pictons
It's very competitive but we've got to start somewhere. The ground shouldn't be an issue for him.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Count Meribel and Splash Of Ginge
Count Meribel ran very nicely first time out at Carlisle in the race Little Josh dead-heated in before winning this one. He has definitely improved for that. Splash Of Ginge is in very good form and the rain has come for him.

Splash Of Ginge bids to win the BetVictor Gold Cup for the second time having scored in 2017Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Chris Gordon, trainer of Highway One O One
He needs a personal best but is in good order and has handled Cheltenham very well before. I would prefer slightly better ground but he has won on heavy.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Happy Diva
She is the most fantastically consistent mare and was unlucky in this race last year. On her best form she has to be in with a shout. She is sure to have come on for her Wetherby run and she goes on any ground.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Guitar Pete
He put in a lovely comeback when he won at Wetherby. He probably now wants a bit further than two and a half miles on better ground, so the rain they've had at Cheltenham will help him.

Guitar Pete already has a big Cheltenham win to his name, having captured the 2017 Caspian Caviar Gold CupCredit: Mark Cranham

David Pipe, trainer of Eamon An Cnoic and Warthog
Eamon An Cnoic ran very well at the festival and we'd like to think he's back to that kind of form. He's weighted to get closer to Siruh Du Lac, he's at the right end of the weights and will love the ground. Warthog was going to go for the two-mile race on Friday. He lost his confidence with his jumping a bit last season after winning first time out at Sandown but seems to have it back now.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Springtown Lake
It's a bit of a concern it's so close to his first run of the season but two and a half miles on heavy ground is ideal.

Josh Moore, rider of Dell Oro
His form tailed off at the end of last season but he seems to have his confidence back at home. He is working and schooling well. The ground would be a concern, though – his best form is be on better ground.

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