Fry feeling the pressure to make Lough reproduce top form in BetVictor Gold Cup

The BetVictor Gold Cup’s betting market suggests bookmakers and punters predict an improved showing from Kylemore Lough on his first start for Harry Fry but the big-race favourite’s new trainer is basing his hopes principally on form in the book.

Although a Grade 1 winner for Kerry Lee, Kylemore Lough has been switched to join Fry and is 7-1 with the sponsors to make an instant impact in the £160,000 Cheltenham classic, for which a maximum 20-runner field is far from certain after only 22 horses were confirmed on Monday.

The shortest-priced of those is Noel Fehily’s mount, Kylemore Lough, who posted a personal best effort when a close fifth on Cheltenham’s New course in last year’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

“We’ve been very happy with him since we got him,” said Fry. “He was a Grade 1-winning novice chaser for Kerry Lee, so the pressure is on us to get him to reproduce the same sort of form he produced for them.

“He has a good record fresh, hence why we’ve targeted the BetVictor. Given he ran so well in the December race at Cheltenham off 2lb higher, we decided this was an ideal race for him to go for off his current mark.

“He's a high-class individual with form in the book and, if he can replicate that form, he should be there or thereabouts. Sometimes a change of scenery can bring about a little bit of improvement as well. There’s no point me talking about it, though. It’s up to him to do the talking on Saturday.”

Fry added: “What he's doing at home is pleasing us. That’s all we can go on. He's ticking all the boxes. We’re looking forward to it.”

Snowden hopes for more from Treasure

Very much looking forward to the race is Jamie Snowden, who fields last month’s Cheltenham novice chase winner Double Treasure off a mark of 150, 42lb more than he began his four-race winning spree from in April.

“He put in a great performance at Cheltenham last time, beating higher-rated horses,” said Snowden. “He has gone up the weights again, so he has to improve in the BetVictor, but he's only a young horse.

“He used to be an absolute lunatic and had to learn to relax. The more we’ve raced him the more he has learnt. He now settles and because of that he has improved dramatically.

“He's full of confidence and working brilliantly. What he’s showing us at home suggests he has a good chance. The fact we’re in for a dry week should help him as well.”

Cause Of Causes heads McManus cross-country squad

Three-time Cheltenham Festival hero Cause Of Causes, along with the Enda Bolger battalion of Auvergnat, Cantlow, Josies Orders and Gilgamboa, give JP McManus a powerful hand in Friday's Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Asked about the return of some National Hunt favourites in Friday's 3m6f handicap, Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said: "They're all intended runners at the minute."

Auvergnat, who was travelling well when unseating at the 26th obstacle in last year's race, heads the betting for the contest at a general 9-4, followed by January's shock 50-1 victor Urgent De Gregaine (between 9-2 and 6-1).

Josies Orders (ranging from 9-2 to 6-1), Cantlow (6-1), Cause Of Causes (between 6-1 and 8-1) and Gilgamboa (ranging from 8-1 and 14-1) complete a potentially powerful assault on the race for McManus.

Perfect ground expected at Cheltenham

Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse confirmed little rain is forecast this week, with the racing surface described on Monday as good to soft.

Cheltenham: little rain is expected this weekCredit: Matt Cardy

“It could well be perfect ground,” said Claisse. “If there are any trainers worried about the ground being too easy, I’ve already said there will be no more watering.

"There could be a few showers but nothing of any significance. I think we’re going to be a combination of good to soft and good across the three days.”